Republicans say Democrats are using the shutdown for partisan gain; Democrats say they’re protecting health care for the poor.

The top two Democratic leaders have requested a meeting with Trump after the last one went sideways. Some Republicans say it wouldn't hurt for him to engage more but doubt he will.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, following Trump's lunch with Republican senators at the White House, said the president is "prepared to sit down" with Democrats to talk about healthcare (specifically Obamacare subsidies) but only once the government shutdown ends.

House Speaker Mike Johnson Johnson opened the news conference just after 10 a.m. Tuesday, saying the U.S. is now in “Day 21 of the Democrat shutdown.”

History suggests it’s Democrats who would eventually back down from their position in the shutdown stalemate. But they seem to have relatively little reason to do so right now.

The federal government shutdown is already one of the nation's longest. Here are 10 key dates to watch as the stalemate in Congress continues.

Within New York City, a Fox News poll last month found that 49% of Democratic voters had a favorable view of socialism, compared to 35% who had an unfavorable view. Meanwhile, 41% of Democrats viewed capitalism favorably, while 49% viewed it unfavorably.