Polls Favor Trump as Democrats Block Clean Funding Bill 12 Times Amid Shutdown

October 24, 2025 - Recent polls indicate public perception of the government shutdown favors President Trump, with his approval ratings holding steady or improving despite the crisis exceeding three weeks—the longest in U.S. history.

A Morning Consult poll from October 17-19, surveying 1,984 registered voters online with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points, showed Trump's approval at 46%, the highest since late August. Newsweek's tracker placed it at 45%, also a recent high. Pollster Scott Rasmussen of RMG Research noted Trump's ratings have remained within two points of 50% for 29 weeks, mirroring his 2024 popular vote share of just under 50%. A YouGov/Economist poll showed a two-point net approval gain, from -17 to -15.

Only 48% of Americans primarily blame Trump, compared to 61% during the 2018-19 shutdown. His resilience stems from strong Republican support and a polarized electorate.

The House passed H.R. 5371, a clean continuing resolution (CR) funding government operations through November 21 at current levels, on September 19, 2025. Senate Democrats have voted against it 12 times, blocking passage to demand additions for priorities like affordable healthcare. These provisions, intended for separate budget negotiations, would nearly double the CR's cost from $1.2 trillion to over $2 trillion annually.

Federal agencies, including the Department of Labor, have issued statements attributing the shutdown to Democratic obstruction, providing employees with out-of-office templates citing Senate blocks.

Democratic leaders' comments have drawn backlash. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark stated the shutdown offers "one of the few leverage times" for priorities, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said each day "gets better for Democrats." Republicans and the White House criticized these as treating hardship to federal workers and troops as political tools.