Voters Hate Shutdowns: Why Both Parties Lose in Gridlock

Government Shutdowns Rarely Benefit Either Party

In his latest Roll Call column, Winston Group President David Winston underscores a hard truth: voters dislike government shutdowns, and neither party emerges as a winner. The current partial shutdown, sparked by disagreements over a continuing resolution, puts both Republicans and Democrats in the crosshairs of public frustration.

The Political Calculations Behind the Standoff
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are pressing Republicans to reverse what they call Medicaid “cuts” from the summer’s reconciliation bill, while also seeking restored funding for NPR, PBS, and USAID. Yet Winston notes that Congressional Budget Office data shows Medicaid funding is projected to rise 30.3% by 2034, even after accounting for inflation. Meanwhile, Republicans are advocating for a clean extension to keep government funded while negotiations continue.

What History Tells Us
Winston draws on historical data from Winning the Issues research, highlighting how the 2013 shutdown triggered some of the lowest voter sentiment ever recorded, with independents especially hostile to both parties. Current polling paints a similar picture: both Republicans and Democrats are viewed unfavorably, and independents—the fastest-growing segment of the electorate—remain deeply dissatisfied with Washington gridlock.

Independents Hold the Balance
The challenge is stark for both parties. Democrats face declining party identification and internal pressure from their progressive base, while Republicans must demonstrate they can govern responsibly and reconnect with independents. As Winston concludes, shutdowns are not seen as leverage by voters—they are failures of governance. For both sides, the risk is losing ground with the very voters they need most in 2026.