What's driving a possible shutdown? A fraction of the federal budget.

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

52% : The government's biggest annual expense, though, and the main drivers of U.S. debt, are the retirement programs Medicare and Social Security.
49% : Current spending laws expire on Sept. 30, so the government will shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1 without action.
46% : "The fight is over such a small portion of the budget because even Republicans have agreed not to touch the biggest sources of federal spending, including the Social Security and Medicare retirement programs, but also the military, border enforcement, and veterans benefits, which Democrats don't want to cut, either.
45% : "Under former House speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), the GOP did try to rein in spending on Social Security and Medicare, advancing plans to substantially lower the federal deficit.

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