WASHINGTON — A new poll found that more Americans blame President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans for the federal government shutdown than congressional Democrats.
The CBS News/YouGov poll, conducted between Oct. 1 and Oct. 3 among 2,441 adults, found that 39% of respondents believe Trump and congressional Republicans deserve the most blame for the shutdown. Thirty percent of respondents blame Democrats more, and 31% blame both equally.
The poll also found that 52% of respondents disapprove of the way Trump is handling the shutdown. Fifty-two percent also disapprove of the way congressional Republicans are handling it.
Meanwhile, 49% percent of respondents disapprove of the way Democrats in Congress are handling the shutdown.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.
The shutdown has entered a second week as both parties are no closer to striking a funding deal that would reopen the government’s doors. Democrats have made healthcare the focus of their demands, urging Republicans to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Forty percent of respondents believe congressional Democrats’ position is not worth having a shutdown over, while 28% believe it’s worth it, according to the poll. And 45% of respondents believe congressional Republicans’ position is not worth having a shutdown over, while 23% believe it’s worth it.
About 750,000 federal employees ranging from workers at national parks to financial regulators could be furloughed under a shutdown, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, withholding about $400 million in daily compensation.
Other workers in government services considered “essential,” such as military members and law enforcement, will continue to work but won’t be paid until a deal is reached.
