Politics

Poll Delivers Another Setback for Congress

By Jake Beardslee · November 5, 2025

Public frustration with Washington is intensifying as a new Gallup poll shows that 68% of Americans disapprove of Congress’s handling of the ongoing government shutdown. The dismal rating reflects growing anger among voters as partisan gridlock continues to paralyze federal operations.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) sharply criticized Senate Democrats, accusing them of engaging in political obstruction by prioritizing foreign spending over pressing domestic concerns. Kennedy argued that Democrats have conditioned their support for reopening the government on restoring funding for select projects, effectively rejecting a bipartisan compromise aimed at ending the stalemate.

Kennedy said only three Senate Democrats have backed recent efforts to end the shutdown. He argued that Republicans are pushing for a six-week temporary funding extension to buy time for broader budget negotiations. “The socialist wing of their party say we’ve got to put that back in before they’ll open government,” Kennedy said.

He added, “The truth is that this is a political shutdown. Senator (Chuck) Schumer (D-NY) is nervous as a pregnant nun about losing his reelection to the socialist wing of his party, led by Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez.” Kennedy quipped, “He’s been around a long time. His first car was a chariot.”

The ongoing standoff has exposed growing rifts within the Democratic Party, as moderates and progressives clash over priorities and tactics. Schumer defended his position, arguing that the push for additional funding reflects widespread support among voters. “It’s not just one small group of American people that want this; it’s across the board. Fifty-five percent of Trump voters, hardly a flank in our party, want this. That’s why we’re doing it,” Schumer said.