Government Shutdown Poll Reveals Growing Public Frustration

A new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll shows Americans are feeling the strain of the month-long government shutdown — and many are clear about who they believe is responsible. According to the survey, 45% of U.S. adults blame President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans for the stalemate. Meanwhile, one-third point to congressional Democrats, and 22% remain unsure.

Sharp Partisan Divide

The polling highlights deep partisan lines. 80% of Democrats say Republicans are mainly responsible, while 72% of Republicans point to Democrats. Among Independents, 46% blame Republicans, compared to 23% who fault Democrats, underscoring a slight lean toward assigning responsibility to the GOP.

Growing Concern Across the Country

As the shutdown — now the second-longest in U.S. history — continues, public concern has increased. Three-quarters of Americans report feeling “very” or “somewhat” concerned, up from 66% when the government shut down on October 1. More than 60% of Democrats say they’re “very concerned,” versus 26% of Republicans, highlighting a gap in urgency but a shared national unease.

Real-World Impact Intensifies

The shutdown’s consequences are becoming more severe. About 650,000 federal workers remain furloughed, airports are experiencing delays and cancellations due to staffing shortages, and roughly 42 million low-income Americans are expected to lose SNAP benefits on Saturday if no action is taken.

Uncertain Path to Resolution

Though the Senate is not scheduled to reconvene until Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said conversations will continue through the weekend. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) expressed doubt, saying there is little evidence of meaningful bipartisan negotiation taking place.

With rising concern and millions affected, the pressure on leaders to come to terms grows each day — yet a breakthrough remains elusive.