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Shutdowns have become a recurring element in American political life – however this one feels particularly intractable because of shifting political forces and bad blood between the two parties.

Some government services are temporarily suspended, and about 750,000 people likely to be placed on furlough without pay as both political parties can't agree on a spending bill.

Legislative attempts to resolve the deadlock have repeatedly failed, and it is hard to see a clear resolution path in this instance as each side – as well as the President – can see some merit in maintaining their positions.

These are several key factors that make things feel different currently.

First, For Democrats, the focus is on Trump – beyond healthcare issues

The Democratic base have insisted over recent periods for their representatives adopt stronger opposition against the current presidency. Well now the party leadership has a chance to show they have listened.

Earlier this year, the Senate's top Democrat was fiercely criticised after supporting GOP budget legislation thus preventing a government closure early this year. Now he's holding firm.

This presents an opportunity for the Democratic party to demonstrate they can take back certain authority from a presidency pursuing its agenda assertively on its agenda.

Opposing the Republican spending plan comes with political risk as citizens generally will grow frustrated as the dispute drags on and impacts accumulate.

Democratic representatives are using the budget standoff to highlight concerns about expiring health insurance subsidies and Republican-approved federal health program reductions affecting low-income populations, which are both unpopular.

Additionally, they're attempting to restrict executive utilization of presidential authority to rescind or withhold money approved by Congress, a practice demonstrated in international assistance and various federal programs.

Second, For Republicans, it's an opportunity

The President along with a senior aide have made little secret their perspective that they smell a chance to advance further reductions in government employment implemented during the current presidential term so far.

The President himself stated recently that the shutdown provided him with a "unique chance", adding he intended to reduce funding for "Democrat agencies".

Administration officials said it would be left with a "challenging responsibility" of mass lay-offs to maintain critical federal operations should the impasse persist. An administration spokesperson described this as "budgetary responsibility".

The extent of possible job cuts remains unclear, but the White House have been consulting with the Office of Management and Budget, the budgeting office, under the leadership of the key official.

The administration's financial chief has already announced the suspension of federal funding for regions governed by of the country, such as NYC and Illinois' largest city.

3. There's little trust on either side

While previous shutdowns have been characterised by extended negotiations among political opponents aimed at restoring government services running again, there appears to be minimal cooperative willingness of collaboration this time.

Conversely, animosity prevails. The bad blood continued over the weekend, as both sides blaming each other regarding the deadlock's origin.

The legislative leader a Republican, charged opposition members of not being serious toward resolution, and holding out over a deal "for electoral protection".

Simultaneously, the opposition's chief levelled the same accusation against their counterparts, stating how a majority party commitment regarding health funding talks after operations resume cannot be trusted.

The administration leader personally has inflamed the situation through sharing a computer-created controversial depiction of the Senate leader along with another senior in the House, where the legislator appears wearing a large Mexican-style sombrero and a moustache.

The representative with party colleagues denounced this as discriminatory, a characterization rejected by the Vice-President.

Fourth, The American Economy is fragile

Analysts expect approximately two-fifths of government employees – over 800,000 workers – to be put on unpaid leave due to the shutdown.

This will reduce consumer expenditure – and also have wider ramifications, including halted environmental approvals, patent approvals, interrupted vendor payments along with various forms of government activity connected to commercial interests comes to a halt.

A shutdown also injects new uncertainty into an economy already being roiled by changes ranging from tariffs, previous budget reductions, immigration raids and artificial intelligence.

Analysts estimate that it could shave approximately 0.2% from national economic expansion for each week it lasts.

But the economy typically recoups the majority of interrupted operations after a shutdown ends, as it would after disruption caused by a natural disaster.

That could be one reason why financial markets have shown limited reaction by the current stand-off.

On the other hand, experts indicate should the President carries out proposed significant workforce reductions, economic harm might become more long-lasting.