Americans have little appetite for austerity in government programs. Most either want to increase spending or maintain it at current levels. At the same time, their trust in the federal government remains near a historic low.
About half of Americans say reducing the budget deficit should be a top policy priority this year for the president and Congress.
No matter who they blamed for previous government shutdowns or how much they felt personally affected by them, most Americans have had negative opinions about them.
The government shutdown has squeezed the daily flood of data from federal agencies down to a trickle. Take a look at what data are and are not available.
In the four decades that the current system for budgeting and spending tax dollars has been in effect, Congress has managed to pass all required appropriations bills on time only four times.
As of July 31, the federal government's total debt stands at $19.845 trillion. Read a primer on the U.S. national debt, the debt limit and interest payments on the nation's credit line.
Six-in-ten Democrats back increased federal spending for scientific research, compared with one third of Republicans.
From Social Security to national parks, a look at long-range trends in federal outlays relative to the U.S. economy
Lower-income Republicans are somewhat more likely than higher-income Republicans to support the Affordable Care Act, and many say ensuring health care coverage for all is a government responsibility.
As the debate continues over repeal of the Affordable Care Act and what might replace it, a growing share of Americans believe that the federal government has a responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage.
