The survey’s findings indicate that a plurality of Americans, 47%, hold President Trump and Congressional Republicans responsible for the government’s partial paralysis. In contrast, 30% of respondents blame the Democrats.
The human cost is significant, with an estimated 900,000 federal employees furloughed without pay and no clear timeline for their return.
The central point of contention is the 2026 budget, specifically the allocation of funds for federal health insurance subsidies. The poll reveals overwhelming public support for these subsidies, with 71% of respondents in favor of their extension, directly opposing the President’s proposed cuts.
The poll’s methodology was robust, surveying over a thousand adults via text message with results weighted to reflect national demographics and a margin of error of 3.5%. The data also captures the partisan divide on negotiation strategy, exploring whether Democrats and Republicans should compromise or hold their ground on budgetary issues.