TL/DR –
An AP-NORC poll has found that most Americans view the ongoing government shutdown as a serious issue, with blame being assigned to all key players involved. About six in ten Americans blame President Trump and Republican Congress members significantly for the shutdown, while 54% also blame Democrats in Congress. The deadlock is largely over federal tax credits for health insurance, with Democrats demanding extension and Republicans refusing to negotiate until a funding bill is passed to reopen the government.
Government Shutdown Blamed on All Major Players, Finds AP-NORC Poll
A prolonged government shutdown is viewed as a significant issue by most Americans, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. The survey indicates that around 60% of the public attributes a considerable amount of responsibility for the shutdown to President Trump and congressional Republicans, while 54% lay similar blame on Democrats in Congress. To understand the plight of the public, watch how federal workers are being affected by the shutdown at PBS.org.
The government shutdown, the longest in US history, is a result of demands for an extension of health insurance tax credits and the refusal to negotiate until a funding bill is passed. The poll reveals that public frustration is primarily leveled at the ruling party, with half of Americans holding Trump greatly responsible for the situation. This share is higher than the 40% who blame Democrats.
Shutdown Impact Across The Nation
The effects of the government shutdown are rippling across the nation, causing delays in flights and missing paychecks for federal employees. The poll reveals that 54% of U.S. adults regard the shutdown as a significant issue. Most likely to perceive it as a major problem are Democrats (69%), followed by independents (59%) and Republicans (37%).
The last shutdown, during Trump’s first term, lasted a record 35 days, attracting similar public sentiment. The current shutdown could have a more severe impact, warns the White House. While around two million service members received timely payment, hundreds of federal workers face layoffs.
The Debate Over Health Care Subsidies
The shutdown is largely due to the stalemate over federal tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace users. Democrats advocate for an extension of these credits, but Republicans will only discuss the issue after the government reopens. Approximately 40% of American adults support the extension of the tax credits, as per the poll.
2026 Midterms Implications
Both parties have framed the shutdown as a prelude to the 2026 midterms. However, there doesn’t seem to be a significant shift in public opinion about either party. Confidence in Congress remains extremely low with only about 4% of Americans having a great deal of confidence in its functioning.
Healthcare could potentially be a beneficial issue for Democrats in the future. Nearly 38% of Americans trust Democrats over Republicans (25%) in managing health care.
The AP-NORC poll was conducted among 1,289 adults between Oct. 9-13, with a sampling margin error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
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