Although Americans are still more likely to blame Republicans than Democrats for the partial government shutdown, a YouGov/The Economist poll released Wednesday showed the gap is narrowing.
The poll of 1,622 U.S. adults conducted Oct. 10-13 found that 39% said Republicans in Congress are most responsible for the shutdown, while 33% blamed Democrats.
The 6-point margin is about half last week’s difference, when 41% blamed Republicans and 30% blamed Democrats.
The survey, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, showed 20% said both parties are equally responsible, down from 23% in the previous poll.
The survey revealed 39% of respondents said they are unsure how long the shutdown will last, while 37% expect it to continue for three weeks or more. And 24% said it will end within two weeks.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) said lawmakers should “compromise to reach a budget agreement, even if it means sacrificing some priorities they believe in.”
Just 36% preferred that lawmakers “fight for the priorities they believe in, even if it means risking a government shutdown.”
Majorities of Democrats (60%) and Republicans (69%) agreed that compromise is the better path. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to compromise by a 31%-20% margin, with 16% saying lawmakers from both parties are equally willing.
More respondents opposed than supported permanently laying off federal workers during the shutdown, by a 54%-29% margin. Almost three-quarters (71%) said federal employees who aren’t being paid should receive back pay once the shutdown ends, a view shared by majorities of Democrats (88%) and Republicans (60%).
Overall, 21% said they are personally affected by the shutdown either “a great deal” (7%) or “somewhat” (14%), while 25% said they are affected “a little,” and 54% said they are not affected.
Meanwhile, 40% of Americans strongly or somewhat approve of President Donald Trump’s job performance, while 55% disapprove, a net approval of minus-15. That’s up slightly from last week’s minus-17 rating, and roughly in line with Trump’s approval numbers in recent weeks.
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