🔗 Share this article

American politicians from both factions are pointing fingers as many of federal staff are on uncompensated time off and the funding gap drags on with no end in view.

The Democratic Party have refused to support the Republican funding bill unless expiring medical assistance that they argue many working families depend on are renewed.

Republicans want Democrats to enact a short-term legislation beforehand and then they can address the support payments.

Misty Dennis, Mid-Forties, Republican

This Golden State voter is worried about the widespread consequences of the shutdown on ordinary people.

The Republicans have 53 supporters, they must secure 60 to pass the legislation. Is it that challenging to find common ground over seven yeas so that US citizens are protected?

If this drags on for another week or two, the reality is US citizens are being affected, US residents are being touched by this and somebody must step up to be the grown-up in the negotiations.

I think sometimes politicians are so distant from the people, the common folk going about their day, so they overlook what the struggle is like and I believe they should factor that in, especially if it's a large number of Americans that are without income.

That's a large group of Americans not getting paid, that's a large group of people not putting their money toward the economic system. Citizens are just being negatively impacted.

Denise Demontagnac, 22, Democrat

This Old Line State voter acknowledges this shutdown will bring suffering to many Americans, but she thinks it is a necessary struggle.

I'm concerned because there is no good outcome with the federal government being shut down.

I'm very anxious about what's going to transpire to economically disadvantaged groups, scholars who need federal scholarships and federal employees.

But this is a important struggle for the Democrats to pursue. Naturally jobs are going to be lost, initiatives are going to lack financial support, which is so unfortunate but I do not believe that is responsibility that the Democrats would have on their record.

I feel it's worth it to stand firm, this is communicating a meaningful statement to their voters.

Punal Bhavsar, Mid-Thirties, Democratic Supporter

This California citizen is worried the Democratic Party are missing strategy in their funding gap approach.

I don't know if the top Democrat has a roadmap for an exit strategy to talks or how to guide the group away from this.

I am uncertain if the Democrats have a effective communication to the citizens on what they're doing.

In terms of digital outreach, the GOP certainly have the upper hand. The narrative is not resounding on what the left are trying to do.

I'm already at a point where I'm kind of concerned because government shutdowns harm the public.

I'm going to be okay, but for the rest who depends on the government, who hopes to tour a public land or gallery, they're going to be inconvenienced, if not now, then in the coming days.

And that is intolerable.

A Republican Voter, Fifty-Five, Republican

This Hoosier State citizen states the left are playing politics with everyday people and their livelihood.

This is standard political maneuvering. It is a continuing resolution they are seeking to enact, that the Democrats oppose.

Everyone's labeling it a Schumer shutdown, it's not due to the GOP, it's because of the opposition, he's acting to remain relevant within his political faction - in the meanwhile, people are in the difficult position.

I don't see that this is going to conclude.

The ordinary citizens are trapped between sides, and the left are ready to harm those people. They're failing to do their reputation any favours when they truly block matters like this.

A Democratic Voter, Late Twenties, Democrat

This Sunshine State citizen claims Democrats' tactic is a challenging but necessary one and one that affects his sister, who has been furloughed because of the shutdown.

Democrats' plan is a difficult one, but unfortunately it is a necessary one.

They have been unable to do a great deal to halt or prevent the government's policies.

I endorse their strategy, I agree with their rationale for taking this action.

The political figure is a bully and if you yield to a aggressor he's going to ask for further compromises, that's how bullies operate. So you have to stand up to a aggressor to make him realise you're not going to surrender for free.

The point when it goes too far is when the Democratic Party start failing in the narrative struggle, if the perception changes to blaming the left then it might be necessary to end the standoff.

Rom Solene, Sixty-Four, GOP Supporter

This Arizona citizen is insulated by the shutdown so he is accepting of the shutdown lasting a while, if that is what it is needed for Republicans to win.

I would think after the period that the Democrats have had, I would have thought that they would have agreed to the temporary funding, at least for now.

I am fully supportive of what the Republicans are attempting, I'm fully supportive of cutting federal outlays.

The left have grown so antagonistic of the administration, regardless of what he proposes I believe they would find cause to fight him.

I individually am unaffected by the pressure that some Americans are, this leaves me untouched.

What little we do dependent on the federal system - what it supplies for us - the funding gap is will not affect us {whatsoever|at all|in any