If the shutdown extends into a second month, then damage starts to accumulate pretty quickly," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s,

Economic anxiety rises as 47% of Americans doubt their ability to find good jobs, up from 37% in October 2023. High costs for groceries, housing, healthcare and electricity persist, with 36% citing utility bills as major stress. Trump’s 36% economic approval rating mirrors Biden’s struggles, as tariffs and hiring freezes dampen a promised boom.

Economic pessimism could possibly impact policy decisions and political outcomes in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections.

In the Virginia and New Jersey governor's races and the California redistricting fight, Democrats are spending more on ads — though that comes with no guarantees about the results.

Bill Nye the Science Guy and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joined Abigail Spanberger in Charlottesville on Tuesday to encourage voters to choose her as Virginia's next governor.