The federal government shutdown, now stretching deep into its second month, has left Americans frustrated and divided over who bears responsibility. According to a new NBC News poll conducted from October 24 to 28, 2025, a slim majority—52%—of registered voters place the blame squarely on President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress. But in a notable shift, a significant 42% of respondents say Democrats in Congress are at fault, a figure that marks the highest share blaming Democrats in three decades of NBC News shutdown polling.
The poll, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, paints a picture of a country not only split along party lines but also deeply dissatisfied with its political leadership. In fact, a staggering 57% of voters say that if given the chance, they would vote to oust every single member of Congress—including their own representatives. This is the highest share expressing such sentiment since October 2013, according to NBC News.
The standoff in Washington shows little sign of resolution. Core party constituencies are, predictably, most likely to blame the other side. Self-described liberals, younger voters, urban residents, Black voters, and those with higher education levels overwhelmingly point fingers at Trump and the GOP. Meanwhile, self-identified MAGA supporters, white men, and rural and older voters are more likely to blame Democrats. As Republican pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies put it to NBC News, “Each party could look at this data and say, ‘Let’s not blink.’” McInturff, who conducted the poll alongside Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates, noted that both sides appear emboldened by their base’s support, making compromise seem ever more distant.
What’s at the heart of this impasse? Health care. Democrats have drawn a firm line, refusing to support any Republican proposal to reopen the government unless it includes an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of this year. These subsidies help keep health insurance premiums affordable for millions of Americans. Without them, premiums could jump significantly, putting coverage out of reach for many. Republicans, on the other hand, insist they will not negotiate over health care subsidies until Democrats first agree to reopen the government. It’s a classic Washington standoff, with neither side willing to make the first move.
“Health care, a central focus of the government shutdown debate, is an area where Democrats continue to hold the upper hand,” Horwitt told NBC News. The issue has become a political flashpoint, with Democrats arguing that Republicans are playing politics with Americans’ health coverage, while Republicans counter that Democrats are holding government funding hostage to force through their health policy priorities.
The shutdown’s impact is far from theoretical. According to the poll, 34% of voters say they or someone in their family has seen their employment, government services, or benefits affected by the shutdown. That’s the highest share NBC News has recorded in shutdown polling dating back to 1995. The pain is not evenly distributed: young women and Black voters are among those most likely to report being affected, with 50% of Black voters saying they or a family member have felt the impact. These voters, not surprisingly, are also more likely to blame Republicans for the impasse.
The poll also finds a deep well of ill feeling toward both major parties. Negative views of the Democratic Party remain near record lows, with 53% of voters viewing the party negatively and just 28% viewing it positively. That’s barely above the record-low 27% positive rating the party received in March. The Republican Party fares a bit better, but still faces a net-negative rating of 9 points: 46% of voters view the GOP negatively, while 37% see it positively. Notably, Democrats’ handling of the shutdown has done little to boost their standing, even among their own supporters. While 59% of Democrats say they view their own party positively—a figure unchanged since March—22% say they view their party negatively, up from 19% in March. By contrast, only 8% of Republicans report negative feelings toward their own party.
Disillusionment with Congress is widespread and bipartisan. The desire to “throw the bums out” crosses party lines, with 57% of Democrats, 55% of Republicans, and a striking 62% of independents saying they would vote to replace every lawmaker if they could. This mood comes as both parties brace for a wave of primary challenges in the 2026 election cycle, and as the political landscape continues to shift following the 2024 election’s generational shakeup.
Historical context only sharpens the sense of frustration. The share of voters blaming Democrats for the current shutdown is the highest NBC News has recorded in 30 years of polling on the issue. McInturff suggests that this reflects not only the particulars of the current standoff, but also a broader erosion of faith in both parties. “Historically, Republicans are perceived as not being as supportive of government,” he noted, pointing to federal layoffs driven by Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency as a factor shaping public perceptions of his presidency. Still, the fact that Democratic votes are needed to end debate in the Senate—thanks to the 60-vote threshold—means that many voters see Republicans as ultimately responsible for the government’s operation, even as Democrats’ share of the blame has risen.
Despite the mounting pressure, neither party appears ready to budge. With President Trump recently returned from an overseas trip to Asia, some Democrats have renewed their push for a face-to-face meeting, expressing confidence that a deal could be reached quickly if they could just sit down with the president. Yet, for now, the impasse continues, with both sides digging in and Americans left to cope with the fallout.
As the shutdown grinds on and the country’s patience wears thin, the NBC News poll offers a stark reminder: Americans are not only divided about who’s to blame, they’re united in their disappointment with the political system itself.
