The government shutdown has stretched into its fourth week, becoming one of the longest in U.S. history as Congress fails to pass needed funding. Republicans have repeatedly introduced “clean” funding bills aimed at reopening the government, but Senate Democrats led by Chuck Schumer have consistently blocked them. The impasse has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed and many essential workers unpaid, fueling rising public frustration.

Cracks are now appearing within the Democratic caucus. Notably, Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia, along with John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, broke from party leadership to support a Republican-sponsored measure intended to secure pay for military and essential workers during the shutdown.  Their votes highlight growing pressure on Democrats, especially those from states with large numbers of federal workers or military installations.

Meanwhile, tactics in the standoff are escalating. The White House has reportedly restricted congressional access to certain federal facilities, citing the expiration of oversight provisions. At the same time, Republicans appear to hold the initiative, partly because public interest in the shutdown is waning and Democrats are seen by some as less willing to make concessions.

In short: the shutdown remains deeply partisan and stalled, but the internal fissures within the Democratic Party may shift the balance. As the pressure mounts—especially for states where federal payrolls matter—the standoff could force new calculations on both sides.