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Shutdowns have become a recurring feature of US politics – but this one feels especially difficult to resolve because of political dynamics and deep-seated animosity between both major parties.

Certain federal operations face a temporary halt, with approximately 750,000 employees are expected to be put on unpaid leave as both political parties can't agree regarding budget legislation.

Legislative attempts to resolve the deadlock have repeatedly failed, with little visibility on a clear resolution path this time as both parties – as well as the nation's leader – perceive advantages in maintaining their positions.

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

1. For Democrats, the focus is on Trump – not just healthcare

Democratic supporters have insisted over recent periods for their representatives more forcefully fights the current presidency. Currently the party leadership have an opportunity to demonstrate their responsiveness.

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

This presents an opportunity for the Democratic party to demonstrate their ability to reclaim certain authority from an administration pursuing its agenda assertively with determined action.

Refusing to back the GOP budget proposal carries electoral dangers that the wider public will grow frustrated with prolonged negotiations and impacts accumulate.

Democratic representatives are using the shutdown fight to put a spotlight on expiring health insurance subsidies and Republican-approved federal health program reductions affecting low-income populations, which are both unpopular.

Additionally, they're attempting to curtail the President's use of his executive powers to cancel or delay funding approved by Congress, which he has done in international assistance and various federal programs.

2. For Republicans, they see potential

The administration leader and one of his key officials have openly indicated of the fact that they perceive an opening to make more of the cutbacks to the federal workforce that have featured the current presidential term to date.

The nation's leader personally stated recently that the government closure provided him with a "unique chance", and that he would look to reduce funding for "Democrat agencies".

The White House stated they would face the "unenviable task" involving significant workforce reductions to maintain critical federal operations if the shutdown continued. An administration spokesperson described this as "budgetary responsibility".

The extent of possible job cuts remains unclear, though administration officials have been consulting with federal budget authorities, or OMB, under the leadership of the administration's budget director.

The budget director has previously declared the suspension of federal funding for regions governed by the opposition party, including New York City and Chicago.

Third, Trust Is Lacking on either side

While previous shutdowns have been characterised by late-night talks among political opponents aimed at restoring federal operations, currently there seems minimal cooperative willingness of collaboration this time.

Conversely, animosity prevails. The bad blood persisted recently, with Republicans and Democrats exchanging accusations for causing the impasse.

House Speaker a Republican, charged opposition members of not being serious about negotiating, and holding out during discussions "to get political cover".

Simultaneously, the opposition's chief made similar charges against their counterparts, saying that a majority party commitment regarding health funding talks once the government reopens cannot be trusted.

The administration leader personally has inflamed the situation through sharing a controversial AI-generated image of the Senate leader along with another senior in the House, where the legislator is depicted with traditional headwear and a moustache.

The affected legislator and other Democrats denounced this as discriminatory, which was denied by the Vice-President.

Fourth, The American Economy is fragile

Experts project approximately two-fifths of the federal workforce – over 800,000 workers – to be put on unpaid leave due to the government closure.

That will depress spending – with broader economic consequences, as environmental permitting, patent approvals, payments to contractors along with various forms of government activity connected to commercial interests cease functioning.

The closure additionally introduces fresh instability into an economy currently experiencing disruption by changes ranging from tariffs, earlier cuts to government spending, immigration raids and technological advancements.

Economic forecasters project that it could shave approximately 0.2% from national economic expansion for each week it lasts.

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

That could be one reason why the stock market has appeared largely unfazed to the ongoing impasse.

Conversely, analysts say should the President carries out proposed significant workforce reductions, the damage could be more long-lasting.