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American legislators from the two parties are assigning blame as thousands of federal staff face furlough and the shutdown persists with no end in sight.

Democrats have declined to support the GOP budget proposal unless lapsing insurance support that they claim many employed households rely on are extended.

Republicans want the opposition to pass a short-term measure initially and then they can negotiate the support payments.

A Republican Voter, 49, Republican

This Golden State voter is concerned about the extensive impact of the shutdown on ordinary citizens.

The GOP have fifty-three yeas, they must secure 60 to approve the bill. Could it be that challenging to find common ground over 7 yeas so that US citizens aren't being hurt?

If this continues for a few more weeks, the reality is Americans are being hurt, American citizens are being influenced by this and a leader must step up to be the adult in the negotiations.

I think sometimes politicians are so distant from the people, the average individual living their lives, so they don't remember what the struggle is like and I believe they must take that into consideration, notably if it's a large number of Americans that are unpaid.

That's a significant number of citizens missing wages, that's a large group of citizens not putting their money back into the economy. Americans are just being negatively impacted.

Denise Demontagnac, Early Twenties, Democrat

This Maryland voter recognises this shutdown will create hardship to many people, but she thinks it is a necessary struggle.

I'm anxious because there is no favorable conclusion with the federal government being closed.

I'm highly concerned about what's going to occur to low-income families, learners who need government grants and federal employees.

But this is a important struggle for the Democrats to fight. Certainly jobs are going to be cut, initiatives are going to go without funding, which is so unfortunate but I do not believe that is responsibility that the Democratic Party would have on their hands.

I believe it's valuable to persist, this is sending a strong statement to their constituents.

Punal Bhavsar, Thirty-Six, Democratic Supporter

This Golden State citizen is concerned the Democratic Party do not have a plan in their shutdown plan.

I am unsure if the Senate Democratic leader has a roadmap for an resolution path to discussions or how to guide the group out of this.

I am uncertain if the Democrats have a clear message to the citizens on what they're doing.

In terms of online communication, the Republicans certainly have the advantage. The messaging is not resounding on what Democrats are aiming for.

I'm presently at a juncture where I'm kind of concerned because funding lapses hurt the public.

I'm going to be okay, but for others who needs the public services, who wants to go visit a public land or museum, they're going to be inconvenienced, if not immediately, then in the coming days.

And that is intolerable.

Jim Sullivan, Mid-Fifties, Republican

This Indiana citizen states Democrats are engaging in partisan games with everyday citizens and their well-being.

This is typical partisan behavior. It is a continuing resolution they are trying to approve, that the opposition reject.

People are referring to it as a leadership-induced halt, it's not due to the GOP, it's because of Schumer, he's acting to maintain influence within his group - in the meantime, people are in the difficult position.

I do not perceive that this is going to conclude.

The average Americans are trapped between sides, and the left are ready to disregard the public. They're hurting their cause any favours when they really delay issues like this.

Trey Stewart, Twenty-Seven, Democratic Supporter

This Florida citizen states Democrats' approach is a difficult but essential one and one that touches his relative, who has been furloughed because of the shutdown.

Democrats' strategy is a challenging one, but sadly it is a essential one.

They have failed to do a great deal to slow or block the current administration's agenda.

I support their strategy, I support their justification for taking this action.

The political figure is a intimidator and if you yield to a bully he's going to expect additional concessions, that's how such individuals operate. So you have to confront a bully to make him realise you're not going to concede for nothing.

The point when it goes too far is when the Democratic Party start losing the PR battle, if the perception turns to faulting the left then it might be time to reach a resolution.

A Republican Voter, Mid-Sixties, GOP Supporter

This Grand Canyon State citizen is unaffected by the closure so he is ok with the closure continuing, if that is what it takes for Republicans to win.

I would think after the time that the left have had, I would have assumed that they would have gone along with the temporary funding, at least temporarily.

I am in favor of what the Republicans are trying to do, I'm fully supportive of lowering public expenditure.

The Democrats have turned so opposed of the current president, regardless of what he offers I feel they would look for excuses to oppose him.

I personally am not feeling the urgency that some people are, this leaves me untouched.

What little we rely on the public services - what it supplies for us - the shutdown is not going to impact us {whatsoever|at all|in any