Politics

Poll: Most Americans Say Republicans Won Government Shutdown Fight

By Jake Beardslee · November 16, 2025

Most Americans believe Republicans emerged as the winners of the recent 43-day government shutdown, according to a new national survey. A CBS News and YouGov poll released Nov. 15 found that 55% of Americans think President Donald Trump and the GOP secured more of what they wanted in the negotiations that ended the shutdown. Only 6% said Democrats prevailed, while 24% said neither party could claim a victory.

The results sharply contrast with polls taken during the shutdown, which showed Republicans absorbing most of the public criticism for the impasse. They also follow weeks of Democratic claims that their 2025 election wins reflected a voter backlash against Trump and Republican leadership.

The shutdown ended last week after eight Senate Democrats abandoned their health care–related demands and voted with Republicans for a compromise. The House quickly passed the agreement, and Trump signed it into law hours later.

Democrats agreed to fund the government after Republican Senate leaders promised a future vote on extending Obamacare subsidies that help millions afford health care. But House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to commit to holding a similar vote in his chamber, leaving the proposal’s future uncertain.

The poll found that about 70% of Republicans believe their party compromised the “right amount” during the funding fight, while 55% of Democrats said their leaders gave up too much. More Americans disapproved of the way Democrats handled the shutdown (60%) than Republicans (54%), and 56% said they disapproved of Trump’s leadership throughout the negotiations.

The survey included 1,288 adults across the country who were originally contacted during the shutdown and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 points.

Under the funding deal, most federal agencies are financed through Jan. 30, raising the possibility of another shutdown if lawmakers fail to reach a new agreement. Congress also extended funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through the end of the 2026 fiscal year and provided additional money for Veterans Affairs medical care.

The legislation includes more than $200 million to bolster security for members of Congress and enhance protections for Supreme Court justices. It also contains a provision allowing a group of Republican senators—whose phone records were subpoenaed during the FBI’s 2020 election-interference investigation—to sue the government for up to $500,000.