Most Dems Want Government Shutdown to Keep Going While Federal Workers Miss Paychecks

As the government shutdown enters its third week, a new Rasmussen poll reveals that a majority of Democrats, along with a significant number of Republicans and independents, support allowing the shutdown to continue.

The data challenges long-held assumptions about how voters react to federal shutdowns.

Historically, both parties have tried to avoid blame for interruptions to government services and paychecks, fearing backlash from voters.

But this latest polling indicates that public opinion has shifted, particularly among Democrats.

According to the poll, roughly two-thirds of Democratic respondents said they wanted the shutdown to continue, compared with 41% of Republicans and 44% of independents who shared the same view.

51% Want Government Shutdown to Continue

A narrow majority of voters – including two-thirds of Democrats – are in favor of having the current government shutdown continue. Full story is in the comments… pic.twitter.com/OacAiujsX7

— Rasmussen Reports (@Rasmussen_Poll) October 21, 2025

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The findings suggest that frustration with Washington gridlock is being tempered by partisan priorities and differing views of government’s role.

The shutdown began on October 1, following the failure of Congress to pass a funding measure.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and nearly all Senate Democrats voted against a bipartisan bill that would have temporarily extended government funding, citing disagreements over healthcare and spending priorities.

It marked the eleventh consecutive failed attempt to end the impasse.

President Donald Trump has stated he will not reopen the government until Democrats agree to negotiate on healthcare subsidies and immigration funding.

Senate Democrats, meanwhile, have insisted they will not vote on new funding until their policy demands are addressed.

The Rasmussen findings come as both parties attempt to control the narrative surrounding the shutdown.

For decades, political strategists have operated under the assumption that whichever party is blamed for closing the government would suffer in future elections.

However, the new data suggests that Democrats may view the standoff as politically beneficial, even as federal workers remain unpaid.

Republican lawmakers have expressed skepticism toward government expansion, arguing that the shutdown limits unnecessary spending and bureaucratic interference.

For many conservative voters, temporary government closures are viewed as a sign that Washington is being held accountable.

Democrats, on the other hand, traditionally argue that government is an essential institution for providing services and ensuring stability.

But this poll suggests that anti-Trump sentiment among Democratic voters may outweigh their concerns about a prolonged shutdown.

The Rasmussen report highlights what it calls a “polarized political environment,” noting that attitudes about the shutdown are increasingly tied to perceptions of President Trump’s leadership.

CNN and other networks have reported that despite the closure, Trump’s approval rating has remained steady and even improved slightly in recent polling.

Political analysts have pointed out that the Democrats’ resistance strategy could prolong the shutdown indefinitely.

Without a shift in position from Senate Democrats, additional funding bills are likely to fail in the near term.

President Trump is scheduled to meet with congressional leaders later this week to discuss potential resolutions, though no major progress has been announced.

Administration officials have continued to emphasize that the President is open to negotiation once Democrats agree to reopen the government.

As the standoff continues, millions of federal workers and contractors remain furloughed or unpaid, while agencies continue to suspend nonessential services.

The longer the shutdown drags on, the more both parties risk being blamed by voters frustrated with Washington’s inability to govern.

For now, the polling indicates that partisans on both sides see little incentive to compromise, suggesting that the shutdown could continue well into the coming weeks unless a bipartisan deal emerges.