New Poll Shows Winners, Frustrations Of Record Government Shutdown Fight

Republicans and President Trump came out as the clear victors in negotiations that ended the recent government shutdown, according to a new poll that reveals deep frustration among Democratic voters.

The survey found Americans believe by a wide margin that Trump and congressional Republicans secured more favorable terms in the deal, according to CBS News polling. Most Democrats now say their party’s lawmakers gave up too much ground during negotiations.

Disapproval ratings tell a harsh story. When Americans assess how parties handled the shutdown in retrospect, congressional Democrats face higher disapproval than both congressional Republicans and Trump. This shift comes partly from Democrats’ own supporters, along with independents who had backed the party’s approach just two weeks earlier.

By a wide margin, Americans say it was Republicans & Pres. Trump who succeeded in getting more of what they wanted from negotiations to end the shutdown.

(This survey recontacted Americans first interviewed in our early-November poll, while the shutdown was in effect.)… pic.twitter.com/fyGl5PUuIN

— CBS News Poll (@CBSNewsPoll) November 16, 2025

Democratic voters express predominantly negative emotions about the outcome. The poll shows frustration, dissatisfaction and pessimism ranking ahead of relief among party members. Republicans report feeling relieved and satisfied instead. (RELATED: Pollster Says Democrats Launched Shutdown To Tank Trump’s Economy)

Most rank-and-file Democrats believed their party’s positions justified a shutdown, which may fuel current disappointment with the compromise.

The public assigns different blame for rigid negotiating. More Americans say congressional Republicans failed to compromise enough compared to those who level that criticism at congressional Democrats.

Republicans largely view their delegation’s compromise approach as appropriate, while Democrats think their party conceded excessive ground.

The shutdown brought health care into focus, with most respondents saying the issue factored into debates. Two-thirds now expect health insurance premiums to rise in coming months. Americans predict air travel will improve as government employees and air traffic controllers resume receiving paychecks.

The poll recontacted participants from a November survey conducted during the shutdown.