Storyline: Despite hopes of an end to the political impasse in Washington D.C., the U.S. government is still shutdown, causing widespread frustration and prompting calls from all quarters for political leaders to find common ground. Alicia Alexander, a real estate agent, emphasized the need for cooperation. "At this moment, the Republicans and Democrats, they need to find a common ground. Because at the end of the day, it's affecting a lot of aspects of the government employees. And also, as a result, it's damaging the industries. So it's a moment to debate, to put on the table what is important," she said. Echoing this sentiment, businessman Tristan Kumar highlighted the impact on American families as the year-end holidays approach. "They're going to have to come together and they're going to have to end this stalemate. They're going to have to unite and make the government function again. We have holidays coming, we have Christmas, Thanksgiving. They really want to have food on the table. It's very important. So, hopefully this government shutdown ends before the holidays and the people of America can be happy," he said. Kristen Laplante, a teacher, expressed concern about the deeper social divisions the shutdown reveals. "So, the fact that they're so separated, it says a lot about society in general. We're so black and white when there should be a lot more gray area. Just because you're a different party, whether that be Republican or Democratic, we should not be this separated as a people, as a society," she said. "In U.S. society right now, it's important that we find a way to unify the population and all the citizens in the U.S. It's impossible that we cannot find a common ground again and find ways to understand each other. It doesn't matter if you're a Democrat, it doesn't matter if you're a Republican, but we have to look for our future together," said Alexander. Shotlist: FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown: 1. Various of White House 2. Various of Capitol building; U.S. national flag Miami, USA - Recent: 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Alicia Alexander, real estate agent: "At this moment, the Republicans and Democrats, they need to find a common ground. Because at the end of the day, it's affecting a lot of aspects of the government employees. And also, as a result, it's damaging the industries. So it's a moment to debate, to put on the table what is important." FILE: New York City, USA - October 2024: 4. Various of traffic Miami, USA - Recent: 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tristan Kumar, businessman (starting with shot 4): "They're going to have to come together and they're going to have to end this stalemate. They're going to have to unite and make the government function again. We have holidays coming, we have Christmas, Thanksgiving. They really want to have food on the table. It's very important. So, hopefully this government shutdown ends before the holidays and the people of America can be happy." Brooklyn, New York City, USA - Nov 4, 2025: 6. Various of people in line outside community-based food pantry Miami, USA - Recent: 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Kristen Laplante, teacher: "So, the fact that they're so separated, it says a lot about society in general. We're so black and white when there should be a lot more gray area. Just because you're a different party, whether that be Republican or Democratic, we should not be this separated as a people, as a society." FILE: New York City, USA - Oct 2024: 8. Various of New York Stock Exchange building, U.S. national flags Miami, USA - Recent: 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Alicia Alexander, real estate agent: "In U.S. society right now, it's important that we find a way to unify the population and all the citizens in the U.S. It's impossible that we cannot find a common ground again and find ways to understand each other. It doesn't matter if you're a Democrat, it doesn't matter if you're a Republican, but we have to look for our future together." Washington D.C., USA - Oct 20, 2025: 10. Sign outside National Gallery of Art saying the gallery is closed 11. Sign saying 'Museum Closed' [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]