Why Is This US Shutdown Distinct (and More Intractable)?

Shutdowns have become a recurring feature of US politics – but the current situation appears particularly intractable due to political dynamics along with deep-seated animosity among both major parties.

Certain federal operations face a temporary halt, and about 750,000 people are expected to be put on furlough without pay as both political parties can't agree regarding budget legislation.

Votes aimed at ending the deadlock have repeatedly failed, and it is hard to see an off-ramp this time as each side – as well as the nation's leader – perceive advantages in maintaining their positions.

Here are several key factors in which things feel different currently.

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

Democratic supporters has been demanding for months for their representatives adopt stronger opposition against the current presidency. Well now Democratic leaders have an opportunity to demonstrate their responsiveness.

In March, Senate leader faced strong criticism for helping pass a Republican spending bill and averting a shutdown early this year. This time he's digging in.

This is a chance for Democrats to demonstrate their ability to reclaim some control from a presidency pursuing its agenda assertively with determined action.

Opposing the Republican spending plan carries electoral dangers as citizens generally may become impatient as the dispute drags on and impacts accumulate.

Democratic representatives are leveraging the shutdown fight to put a spotlight on expiring health insurance subsidies and GOP-backed government healthcare cuts affecting low-income populations, both facing public opposition.

They are also trying to restrict executive utilization of his executive powers to cancel or delay funding authorized legislatively, which he has done in international assistance and other programmes.

Second, For Republicans, they see potential

The President and one of his key officials have made little secret their perspective that they perceive an opening to advance further the cutbacks in government employment that have featured the current presidential term so far.

The nation's leader personally stated recently that the shutdown had afforded him a "unique chance", adding he intended to reduce funding for "Democrat agencies".

Administration officials stated they would face the "unenviable task" of mass lay-offs to keep essential government services operating if the shutdown continued. The Press Secretary described this as "budgetary responsibility".

The extent of possible job cuts is still uncertain, but the White House have been consulting with federal budget authorities, or OMB, under the leadership of the administration's budget director.

The administration's financial chief has already announced the suspension of federal funding for Democratic-run parts the opposition party, including New York City and Illinois' largest city.

3. There's little trust on either side

While previous shutdowns typically involved extended negotiations among political opponents aimed at restoring government services running again, there appears to be minimal cooperative willingness for compromise presently.

Conversely, animosity prevails. Political tensions continued over the weekend, with Republicans and Democrats exchanging accusations for causing the impasse.

House Speaker from the majority party, accused Democrats with insufficient commitment toward resolution, and maintaining positions over a deal "for electoral protection".

Meanwhile, the opposition's chief levelled the same accusation against their counterparts, stating how a majority party commitment regarding health funding talks once the government reopens cannot be trusted.

The administration leader personally has escalated tensions by posting a computer-created controversial depiction featuring the opposition leader and the top Democrat opposition figure, in which the legislator appears wearing traditional headwear and a moustache.

The affected legislator with party colleagues called this racist, a characterization rejected by the administration's second-in-command.

Fourth, The American Economy is fragile

Experts project about 40% of government employees – over 800,000 workers – to face furlough due to the shutdown.

That will depress spending – with broader economic consequences, as environmental permitting, patent approvals, interrupted vendor payments along with various forms of federal operations tied to business cease functioning.

The closure additionally introduces new uncertainty within economic systems already being roiled by changes ranging from trade measures, earlier cuts to government spending, immigration raids and technological advancements.

Economic forecasters project potential reduction of approximately 0.2% off US economic growth weekly during the closure.

But the economy typically recoups most of that lost activity after a shutdown ends, as it would after disruption caused by a natural disaster.

This might explain partially why the stock market has appeared largely unfazed by the current stand-off.

On the other hand, experts indicate that if the President carries out proposed significant workforce reductions, economic harm might become extended in duration.