WASHINGTON (November 5, 2025) – Now on its 35th day, the current government shutdown has officially made history as the longest shutdown recorded. In addition to being the longest shutdown in history, it is also expected to be the most damaging, as the economy continues to suffer
Experts at the George Washington University are available to provide context and analysis of these developments. To speak with an expert, please contact GW Media relations at gwmedia
gwu [dot] edu.
Political Implications:
Todd Belt is a professor at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. His research and writing focuses on the mass media, public opinion, the presidency, campaigns and elections.
Congressional Experts:
Casey Burgat is a professor at the George Washington University School of Political Management. Professor Burgat is the director of the Legislative Affairs program and hosts its Mastering the Room podcast. Prior to joining GW, Burgat was a Senior Governance Fellow at the R Street Institute where his research focused on issues of congressional capacity and reform.
Health & Science:
Gabby Headrick is an assistant professor in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. As a food systems dietitian, Headrick’s research, teaching, and practice center on the social, environmental, and political determinants of food and nutrition security in the United States, with a particular focus on urban food systems.
Leighton Ku, a professor of health policy and management and Director of the Center for Health Policy Research at the George Washington University, is an expert on the Affordable Care Act, access to healthcare and Medicaid. In a report with the Commonwealth Fund, Ku warns that potential budget cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could trigger severe economic consequences across all 50 states.
Priya Fielding-Singh is the director of Policy and Programs at the Global Food Institute, where she leads domestic policy, programming, and engagement initiatives. A trained social scientist, her expertise is in food and nutrition equity, maternal and child health, and public policy.
Law
Alan B. Morrison is the Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest and Public Service at GW Law, where he teaches civil procedure and constitutional law. Morrison worked for the Public Citizen Litigation Group where his work involved law reform litigation in various areas including open government, opening up the legal profession, suing agencies that fail to comply with the law, enforcing principles of separation of powers, protecting the rights of consumers, and protecting unrepresented class members in class action settlements.
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