September 30, 2025
Government Shutdown, September 2025
Nearly Four in Ten Americans Would Blame GOP if Government Shuts Down... Divide About Compromise
If Congress fails to reach a spending deal and the government shuts down at midnight tonight, nearly four in ten Americans say the Republicans would be to blame. However, there is plenty of finger pointing to go around. More than one in four Americans blame Democrats and more than three in ten blame both political parties. Regardless of who’s to blame, Americans divide about whether it is more important to compromise to avoid the shutdown or to stand on principle, even if it means shutting down the government.
If there is a government shutdown, 38% of Americans say they would blame the Republicans. 27% would blame the Democrats, and 31% would point a finger at both parties equally. Four percent would blame neither political party.
Americans divide about whether members of Congress should compromise to avoid a government shutdown (50%) or stand on principle, even if it means a shutdown (49%). Slim majorities of Democrats (52%) and independents (52%) think compromising to avoid a shutdown is the priority. A slim majority of Republicans (53%), though, believe it is more important to stand on principle.
25% of Americans, including 26% of registered voters, approve of how congressional Democrats are performing in office. 62% of Americans and 64% of registered voters, including 42% of Democrats, disapprove. This is up from July when 58% of registered voters disapproved. 13% are currently unsure.
Slightly more than one in three Americans (35%), including 37% of registered voters, approve of the job the Republicans in Congress are doing. 55% disapprove, including 56% of registered voters. This is also notched up from 52% of registered voters previously. Nine percent of Americans are unsure.
President Trump's job approval rating is 41% among Americans, down slightly from 43% in July. 53% disapprove of the job President Trump is doing.
28% of Americans strongly approve of the job President Trump is doing while 46% strongly disapprove.
Methodology
This NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll national survey of 1,477 adults was conducted September 22nd through September 26th, 2025, by the Marist Poll in partnership with NPR and PBS News. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted through a multi-mode design: By phone using live interviewers, by text, or online. Results for all adults (n=1,477) are statistically significant within ±3.1 percentage points. Results for registered voters (n=1,329) are statistically significant within ±3.3 percentage points. For full methodology and tables, click on the Survey Data button below.