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Shutdowns are a repeat feature in American political life – however this one feels particularly intractable due to political dynamics along with bad blood among the two parties.

Certain federal operations are temporarily suspended, with approximately 750,000 employees are expected to be put on unpaid leave as Republicans and Democrats remain unable to reach consensus regarding budget legislation.

Votes aimed at ending the impasse continue to fall short, with little visibility on an off-ramp this time because both parties – including the President – can see some merit in maintaining their positions.

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

First, For Democrats, it's about Trump – beyond healthcare issues

The Democratic base have insisted for months that their party adopt stronger opposition against the current presidency. Currently the party leadership has a chance to show they have listened.

In March, the Senate's top Democrat was fiercely criticised for helping pass a Republican spending bill thus preventing a government closure early this year. This time he's holding firm.

This is a chance for Democrats to show they can take back some control from a presidency that has moved aggressively with determined action.

Opposing the GOP budget proposal comes with political risk as citizens generally will grow frustrated with prolonged negotiations and impacts accumulate.

Democratic representatives are leveraging the shutdown fight to put a spotlight on ending healthcare financial support and Republican-approved government healthcare cuts for the poor, which are both unpopular.

They are also trying 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.

2. For Republicans, they see potential

The President along with a senior aide have openly indicated of the fact that they smell a chance to advance further the cutbacks in government employment implemented during in the Republican's second presidency so far.

The nation's leader personally said last week that the government closure provided him with a "unique chance", adding he intended to cut "Democrat agencies".

Administration officials said it would be left with the "unenviable task" of mass lay-offs to keep essential government services operating should the impasse persist. The Press Secretary said this was just "fiscal sanity".

The extent of possible job cuts is still uncertain, but the White House have been consulting with the Office of Management and Budget, the budgeting office, under the leadership of the administration's budget director.

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.

Third, Trust Is Lacking on either side

Whereas past government closures typically involved late-night talks between the two parties in an effort to get federal operations, there appears to be little of the same spirit for compromise presently.

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

House Speaker a Republican, accused Democrats with insufficient commitment toward resolution, and holding out during discussions "to get political cover".

Simultaneously, the Senate leader made similar charges against their counterparts, saying that a majority party commitment regarding health funding talks after operations resume can not be taken seriously.

The President himself has inflamed the situation by posting a computer-created controversial depiction of the Senate leader and the top Democrat in the House, where the representative appears wearing traditional headwear and facial hair.

The representative and other Democrats called this racist, a characterization rejected by the administration's second-in-command.

Fourth, The American Economy is fragile

Experts project approximately two-fifths of government employees – over 800,000 workers – to be put on unpaid leave as a result of the shutdown.

This will reduce consumer expenditure – with broader economic consequences, including halted environmental approvals, delayed intellectual property processing, interrupted vendor payments and other kinds of federal operations tied to business comes to a halt.

The closure additionally introduces new uncertainty into an economy already being roiled from multiple factors including tariffs, earlier cuts to government spending, immigration raids and technological advancements.

Analysts estimate potential reduction of approximately 0.2% from national economic expansion weekly during the closure.

However, economic activity generally rebounds most of that lost activity after a shutdown ends, similar to recovery patterns after major environmental events.

That could be one reason why the stock market has appeared largely unfazed by the current stand-off.

Conversely, experts indicate that if the President carries out his threat of mass firings, the damage could be more long-lasting.