The government remains closed, and the standoff in Washington is heating up. On the latest episode of NTD News Live, economist Christian Briggs warns the shutdown’s real bite will be felt by small businesses and local economies in cities with heavy federal workforces. From restaurants to daycares to tax revenues, the impact could spread quickly if the deadlock drags on. Even worse, with key jobs and inflation data delayed, markets are flying blind—risking a hit to investor confidence and even GDP.

The longer this showdown stretches, the more it favors Trump and the GOP. But with public anger rising over lawmakers collecting paychecks while workers go without, the question is: who blinks first?