Shutdown Nears 2019 Record; Public Blames Republicans

Multiple national polls show a plurality of Americans blame President Trump and congressional Republicans for the month‑long government shutdown (about 45% vs roughly 33% who blame Democrats), and public concern is high — more than three‑quarters say they are worried and 43% are “very concerned.” The shutdown, now about a month long, is poised to approach or exceed the 35‑day 2019 partial shutdown, making it one of the longest in U.S. history. It has furloughed or left unpaid roughly 650,000–750,000 federal workers, disrupted flights, and endangered Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for nearly 42 million people. Economists estimate the shutdown is costing the economy $7–15 billion per week (about 0.1–0.2% of GDP). The impasse stems largely from fights over health‑care subsidies, climate programs and GOP spending caps central to the MAGA agenda, and Republican leaders including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. John Thune are pressing for a “clean” continuing resolution while insisting Democrats are to blame. Lawmakers say talks may continue over the weekend with some hope of progress next week, but major disagreements remain and public opinion has shown little shift toward the GOP narrative so far.