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American politicians from both factions are pointing fingers as many of employees are on unpaid leave and the funding gap continues with no conclusion in prospect.

Democrats have declined to endorse the GOP spending plan unless expiring insurance support which they argue many laboring parents rely on are extended.

Republicans expect the opposition to enact a temporary legislation initially and then they can negotiate the subsidies.

Misty Dennis, 49, GOP Supporter

This California voter is anxious about the broad consequences of the shutdown on regular people.

The Republicans have 53 votes, they must secure 60 to enact the measure. Could it be that difficult to come together over 7 yeas so that Americans aren't being hurt?

If this continues for an extended period, the truth is US citizens are being harmed, American citizens are being influenced by this and a leader must take action to be the responsible party in the room.

I think sometimes politicians are so removed from ordinary citizens, the average individual managing daily affairs, so they don't remember what the struggle is like and I think they should remember that, notably if it's 750,000 US citizens that are without income.

That's a lot of people without pay, that's a large group of Americans unable to inject their earnings into the economic system. Americans are just being harmed.

Denise Demontagnac, Twenty-Two, Democrat

This Old Line State voter recognises this funding lapse will create hardship to many Americans, but she thinks it is a important political fight.

I'm anxious because there is no good outcome with the federal government being shut down.

I'm very concerned about what's going to happen to economically disadvantaged groups, learners who depend on public aid and federal employees.

But this is a important struggle for the Democrats to pursue. Certainly employment are going to be lost, initiatives are going to lack financial support, which is so unfortunate but I don't think that is blame that the Democrats would have on their record.

I feel it's important to persist, this is communicating a strong message to their supporters.

A Democratic Voter, Mid-Thirties, Democratic Supporter

This Golden State citizen is worried the Democrats lack a plan in their shutdown plan.

I don't know if the top Democrat has a roadmap for an exit strategy to negotiations or how to guide the faction away from this.

I am uncertain if the Democrats have a strong enough communication to the American people on what they're pursuing.

In terms of online communication, the Republicans clearly have the advantage. The narrative is not resounding on what Democrats are aiming for.

I'm already at a point where I'm kind of anxious because federal closures hurt anyone.

I'm going to be unaffected, but for everyone else who depends on the government, who plans to tour a federal park or museum, they're going to be impacted, if not currently, then in the coming days.

And that is unacceptable.

A Republican Voter, Mid-Fifties, GOP Supporter

This Hoosier State resident says Democrats are playing politics with regular people and their well-being.

This is usual partisan behavior. It is a continuing resolution they are trying to enact, that the Democrats reject.

Many are referring to it as a leadership-induced halt, it's not due to the GOP, it's because of the Democratic leader, he's proceeding to maintain influence within his group - in the meantime, everyone's in the uncertainty.

I don't see that this is going to resolve.

The real people are stuck in the crossfire, and the left are prepared to disregard those people. They're failing to do their reputation any favours when they truly block things like this.

A Democratic Voter, Late Twenties, Democrat

This Sunshine State citizen claims the Democratic tactic is a tough but required one and one that affects his relative, who has been furloughed because of the funding gap.

Democrats' plan is a difficult one, but unfortunately it is a required one.

They have been unable to do a great deal to slow or stop the president's policies.

I endorse their approach, I agree with their rationale for taking this action.

The current president is a intimidator and if you yield to a bully he's going to expect further compromises, that's how aggressive people behave. So you have to resist a intimidator to make him realise you're not going to surrender for without resistance.

The juncture when it goes too far is when the Democrats start suffering in the public relations war, if the narrative turns to faulting the Democrats then it might be necessary to end the standoff.

Rom Solene, Mid-Sixties, Republican

This Grand Canyon State resident is unaffected by the funding lapse so he is ok with the closure lasting a while, if that is what it requires for Republicans to win.

I would believe after the time that the Democrats have had, I would have assumed that they would have supported the temporary funding, at least for now.

I am fully supportive of what the Republicans are attempting, I'm in favor of lowering government spending.

The Democrats have become so antagonistic of the political leader, regardless of what he proposes I feel they would look for excuses to battle him.

I myself am not feeling the pressure that many citizens are, this leaves me untouched.

What little we need from the government - what it supplies for us - the funding gap is will not affect us {whatsoever|at all|in any