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Government closures are a repeat feature in American political life – however this one feels especially difficult to resolve due to shifting political forces along with deep-seated animosity between the two parties.

Certain federal operations face a temporary halt, and about 750,000 employees are expected to be put on unpaid leave as Republicans and Democrats remain unable to reach consensus regarding budget legislation.

Legislative attempts to resolve the impasse have repeatedly failed, and it is hard to see an off-ramp this time because both parties – as well as the nation's leader – can see some merit in maintaining their positions.

Here are the four ways in which this shutdown distinct currently.

First, For Democrats, the focus is on Trump – beyond healthcare issues

The Democratic base has been demanding over recent periods for their representatives adopt stronger opposition against the current presidency. Well now the party leadership have an opportunity to demonstrate they have listened.

Earlier this year, the Senate's top Democrat faced strong criticism after supporting GOP budget legislation thus preventing a shutdown early this year. Now he's holding firm.

This presents an opportunity for Democrats to demonstrate their ability to reclaim some control from a presidency pursuing its agenda assertively with determined action.

Opposing the Republican spending plan carries electoral dangers that the wider public may become impatient with prolonged negotiations and impacts accumulate.

Democratic representatives are using the budget standoff to put a spotlight on ending healthcare financial support and Republican-approved government healthcare cuts affecting low-income populations, both facing public opposition.

Additionally, they're attempting to restrict executive utilization of presidential authority to cancel or delay funding authorized legislatively, a practice demonstrated with foreign aid and various federal programs.

Second, For Republicans, they see potential

The President along with a senior aide have openly indicated their perspective that they perceive an opening to advance further reductions to the federal workforce implemented during in the Republican's second presidency so far.

The President himself said last week that the shutdown had afforded him a "unique chance", adding he intended to cut "opposition-supported departments".

The White House stated they would face the "unenviable task" of mass lay-offs to maintain critical federal operations should the impasse persist. The Press Secretary said this was just "budgetary responsibility".

The extent of possible job cuts remains unclear, though administration officials have been consulting with the Office of Management and Budget, the budgeting office, which is headed by the administration's budget director.

The budget director has already announced the halting of government financial support for regions governed by of the country, including New York City and Illinois' largest city.

Third, Trust Is Lacking between both parties

Whereas past government closures have been characterised by late-night talks among political opponents aimed at restoring federal operations, currently there seems minimal cooperative willingness for compromise presently.

Conversely, animosity prevails. The bad blood persisted recently, as both sides exchanging accusations for causing the impasse.

The legislative leader from the majority party, charged opposition members of not being serious toward resolution, and holding out over a deal "to get political cover".

Meanwhile, the Senate leader made similar charges against their counterparts, saying that a Republican promise regarding health funding talks after operations resume cannot be trusted.

The President himself has escalated tensions by posting a computer-created controversial depiction featuring the opposition leader and the top Democrat in the House, in which the representative appears wearing traditional headwear and a moustache.

The affected legislator and other Democrats denounced this as discriminatory, a characterization rejected by the administration's second-in-command.

Fourth, The American Economy faces vulnerability

Experts project about 40% of the federal workforce – over 800,000 workers – to be put on unpaid leave due to the government closure.

This will reduce consumer expenditure – with broader economic consequences, as environmental permitting, patent approvals, interrupted vendor payments and other kinds of federal operations connected to commercial interests comes to a halt.

A shutdown also injects fresh instability within economic systems currently experiencing disruption from multiple factors including trade measures, previous budget reductions, 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 the majority of interrupted operations after a shutdown ends, 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.

On the other hand, experts indicate that if the President carries out proposed significant workforce reductions, economic harm might become extended in duration.