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US politicians from both factions are pointing fingers as many of federal staff face unpaid leave and the funding gap continues with no conclusion in prospect.

The Democratic Party have refused to support the Republican funding bill unless ending healthcare subsidies which they claim many laboring parents rely on are extended.

Republicans desire the opposition to pass a short-term bill first and then they can discuss the support payments.

A Republican Voter, Forty-Nine, GOP Supporter

This California voter is worried about the widespread consequences of the shutdown on regular people.

The GOP have 53 supporters, they must secure 60 to approve the legislation. Is it that hard to reach agreement over 7 votes so that US citizens are protected?

If this continues for a few more weeks, the reality is Americans are being harmed, American citizens are being influenced by this and somebody must take action to be the responsible party in the negotiations.

I think sometimes legislators are so distant from the people, the regular person going about their day, so they overlook what the challenge is like and I feel they must factor that in, notably if it's three-quarters of a million workers that are without income.

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

A Democratic Voter, Early Twenties, Democratic Supporter

This Maryland resident understands this funding lapse will bring suffering to many people, but she thinks it is a necessary battle.

I'm nervous because there is no positive result with the government being inactive.

I'm extremely nervous about what's going to occur to poor households, scholars who depend on government grants and federal employees.

But this is a worthwhile battle for the Democrats to fight. Of course positions are going to be eliminated, programmes 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 worth it to stand firm, this is delivering a strong signal to their constituents.

Punal Bhavsar, Mid-Thirties, Democrat

This Golden State resident is anxious the Democrats do not have strategy in their shutdown approach.

I don't know if the Senate Democratic leader has a roadmap for an resolution path to discussions or how to lead the faction beyond this.

I don't know if the Democrats have a strong enough message to the citizens on what they're attempting.

In terms of social media messaging, the Republicans clearly have the edge. The communication is not resounding on what the left are aiming for.

I'm already at a point where I'm kind of anxious because government shutdowns hurt anyone.

I'm going to be okay, but for the rest who needs the government, who wants to go visit a National Park or museum, they're going to be affected, if not currently, then in the short term.

And that is intolerable.

A Republican Voter, 55, Republican

This Hoosier State voter states Democrats are playing politics with regular citizens and their livelihood.

This is standard politics. It is a continuing resolution they are seeking to pass, that the opposition oppose.

Many are calling it a leadership-induced halt, it's not on the Republicans, it's on the opposition, he's acting to stay prominent within his group - in the meanwhile, everyone's in the uncertainty.

I do not perceive that this is going to end.

The ordinary citizens are stuck in the crossfire, and the left are ready to disregard the public. They're failing to do their reputation any benefits when they truly hold up issues like this.

Trey Stewart, Late Twenties, Democratic Supporter

This Sunshine State citizen claims Democrats' approach is a difficult but essential one and one that touches his family member, who has been furloughed because of the closure.

Democrats' approach is a difficult one, but sadly it is a essential one.

They have not been able to do much to slow or stop the current administration's policies.

I support their approach, I endorse their justification for proceeding.

The political figure is a intimidator and if you give into a aggressor he's going to ask for more, that's how bullies behave. So you have to confront a intimidator to make him realise you're not going to give things up for free.

The point when it crosses a line is when the Democrats start suffering in the public relations war, if the perception changes to blaming the left then it might be time to end the standoff.

Rom Solene, Mid-Sixties, Republican

This Grand Canyon State voter is insulated by the closure so he is accepting of the closure continuing, if that is what it takes for Republicans to prevail.

I would think after the time that the left have had, I would have anticipated that they would have supported the temporary funding, at least temporarily.

I am in favor of what the Republicans are attempting, I'm all for lowering public expenditure.

The left have grown so antagonistic of the political leader, whatever he offers I believe they would look for excuses to oppose him.

I myself am not feeling the urgency that some Americans are, this does not affect.

The limited we rely on the government - what it offers for us - the funding gap is will not affect us {whatsoever|at all|in any