Republicans, for their part, have intensified efforts to assign blame to Senate Democrats, arguing that the shutdown persists because Democratic leadership has refused to move forward with House-passed appropriations. Public messaging from GOP leaders has highlighted service interruptions, rising frustration among constituents, and the economic consequences of a stalled government. Stories of families struggling without paychecks, veterans waiting for benefits, and social programs left in limbo have been leveraged to amplify political pressure. Even moderate Democrats acknowledge that public perception is deteriorating, and that the longer the shutdown continues, the greater the risk of a lasting political and social backlash.Continue reading…
