Dow Jones Nears Record High Amid Government Shutdown Stalemate

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) climbed within 1% of its all-time high of 47,049.64, shrugging off an eighth day of government gridlock. Senate efforts to pass competing funding bills collapsed as partisan disputes over Affordable Care Act subsidies intensified.

House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Senate Democrats of political gamesmanship, stating 'The first responsibility of the government is to protect the people.' The impasse coincides with President Trump's approval rating hitting a term-low 40% in Reuters/Ipsos polling, with 58% of respondents opposing domestic military deployments.

Wells Fargo projects economic resilience, upgrading its 2025 GDP growth forecast to 2.0%. The bank's Optimism suggests markets may continue decoupling from political turbulence, with risk assets potentially benefiting from sustained liquidity conditions.