Shutdowns are as American as apple pie − in the UK and elsewhere, they just aren’t baked into the process

The obligatory showing of the red briefcase containing budget details is as exciting as it gets in the U.K. Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images

When it comes to shutdowns, the U.S. is very much an exception rather than the rule.

On Oct. 1, 2025, hundreds of thousands of federal employees were furloughed as the business of government ground to a halt. With negotiations in Congress seemingly deadlocked over a funding deal, many political watchers are predicting a lengthy period of government closure.