Majority of Americans Blame Democrats for Ongoing Government Shutdown, New Poll Finds. 

Washington, D.C.:

As the federal government shutdown drags into its second week, a new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll reveals that most Americans hold the Democratic Party responsible for the crisis and want an immediate resolution. The shutdown, which has halted paychecks for military personnel and federal workers, disrupted critical social services, and sent states into financial uncertainty, is being driven by a partisan impasse over health care benefits for illegal immigrants.

According to the poll:

• 70% of Americans oppose the ongoing government shutdown.
• 65% believe Democrats should accept the Republican-led House’s clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government and restore federal operations.
• 62% say Republicans will “win” the political standoff over the shutdown.
• 55% believe Democrats are “just trying to please their base,” rather than acting in the national interest.

The shutdown began after Democrats refused to pass the GOP’s stopgap funding bill, which excludes provisions for expanding healthcare access to undocumented immigrants. Republicans have framed their version of the bill as a “clean CR,” focused solely on keeping the government open while longer-term budget negotiations continue.

In a statement from the White House, officials blasted Democrats for what they called a “sick push to give illegal aliens free health care,” claiming it has led to devastating consequences for ordinary Americans. “Service members and federal employees are set to miss their next paycheck, critical food assistance programs for low-income women and children are in dire jeopardy, and states are staring down an economic catastrophe,” the statement read.

Economists warn that if the shutdown continues, it could result in mass layoffs across government-dependent sectors and further strain an already uncertain economy.

Republican leaders have reiterated their call for Democrats to “put Americans first” by accepting the current resolution and reopening the government. Meanwhile, Democrats insist that health care is a moral issue and that immigration-related benefits must be part of the funding negotiations.

As pressure mounts on Capitol Hill, public opinion appears to be shifting decisively in favor of ending the impasse — and placing the political cost squarely on Democratic shoulders.