A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found 38% of Americans would blame Republicans for a government shutdown, compared to 27% blaming Democrats, 31% blaming both, and 4% blaming neither.
The poll was released just hours before Wednesday’s midnight deadline to avoid a shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said votes on competing funding proposals would begin Tuesday evening. The Republican plan, described by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as “clean” and “nonpartisan,” would extend funding through Nov. 21.
The Democratic plan would extend funding through October, make ACA premium subsidies permanent, and reverse nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts. Without action, the subsidies expire this year, driving up premiums for millions.
Both funding proposals are expected to fail, with each side blaming the other.
President Trump warned on Tuesday that if Democrats reject the GOP proposal, his administration may consider cutting certain programs. A day earlier, Vice President Vance said a shutdown is looming “because the Democrats won’t do the right thing.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) argue Republicans aren’t negotiating in good faith. The cited NPR/PBS News/Marist poll reflects that view: 66% of Democrats would blame the GOP for a shutdown, 10% their own party, and 23% both.
Among Republicans, 56% would blame Democrats for a shutdown, 16% their own party, and 25% both. Independents were more divided: 41% would fault both sides, 36% Republicans, and 19% Democrats.
The poll included 1,477 adults and was conducted Sept. 22-26; it has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.
