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Government closures are a repeat feature of US politics – however the current situation appears particularly intractable due to political dynamics along with bad blood between the two parties.

Certain federal operations face a temporary halt, with approximately 750,000 employees likely to be placed on furlough without pay as Republicans and Democrats remain unable to reach consensus regarding budget legislation.

Legislative attempts to resolve the deadlock have repeatedly failed, and it is hard to see an off-ramp this time because each side – including the President – perceive advantages in maintaining their positions.

These 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 more forcefully fights the Trump administration. Well now Democratic leaders have an opportunity to demonstrate their responsiveness.

Earlier this year, the Senate's top Democrat faced strong criticism for helping pass GOP budget legislation thus preventing a government closure in the spring. This time he's digging in.

This is a chance for Democrats to show their ability to reclaim some control from a presidency pursuing its agenda assertively on its agenda.

Refusing to back the GOP budget proposal comes with political risk as citizens generally may become impatient as the dispute drags on and impacts accumulate.

Democratic representatives are using the shutdown fight to put a spotlight on ending healthcare financial support together with GOP-backed federal health program reductions affecting low-income populations, both facing public opposition.

Additionally, they're attempting to restrict the President's use of presidential authority to cancel or delay funding authorized legislatively, which he has done with foreign aid and various federal programs.

Second, For Republicans, it's an opportunity

The administration leader along with a senior aide have made little secret their perspective that they perceive an opening to advance further reductions to the federal workforce that have featured the current presidential term so far.

The President himself said last week that the government closure provided him with an "unprecedented opportunity", adding he intended to reduce funding for "opposition-supported departments".

The White House stated they would face the "unenviable task" involving significant workforce reductions to keep essential government services operating should the impasse persist. An administration spokesperson described this as "budgetary responsibility".

The extent of possible job cuts is still uncertain, though administration officials have been consulting with the Office of Management and Budget, 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, such as NYC and Chicago.

Third, Trust Is Lacking between both parties

While previous shutdowns typically involved extended negotiations between the two parties in an effort to get government services running again, there appears to be little of the same spirit of collaboration this time.

Instead, there is rancour. Political tensions persisted recently, as both sides exchanging accusations regarding the deadlock's origin.

The legislative leader from the majority party, accused Democrats with insufficient commitment toward resolution, and holding out over a deal "to get political cover".

Simultaneously, the opposition's chief made similar charges at the other side, saying that a Republican promise to discuss healthcare subsidies after operations resume cannot be trusted.

The administration leader personally has inflamed the situation by posting a controversial AI-generated image featuring the opposition leader along with another senior in the House, where the representative is depicted with traditional headwear and a moustache.

The affected legislator and other Democrats called this racist, a characterization rejected by the Vice-President.

4. The US economy faces vulnerability

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

This will reduce consumer expenditure – with broader economic consequences, as environmental permitting, patent approvals, payments to contractors along with various forms of federal operations connected to commercial interests comes to a halt.

A shutdown also injects new uncertainty into an economy currently experiencing disruption from multiple factors including trade measures, previous budget reductions, immigration raids and artificial intelligence.

Economic forecasters project that it could shave approximately 0.2% from national economic expansion 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.

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

On the other hand, analysts say should the President carries out his threat of mass firings, economic harm might become more long-lasting.