The shutdown in Washington is over, but the vast majority of Garden State residents are still furious that Congress let the federal government close for more than two weeks.

Win McNamee, Getty Images
Win McNamee, Getty Images
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"Most Congressmen and women from both parties are in damage control mode. We see lots of members of the House of Representatives, particularly republicans, trying to do some damage control and spin themselves as conciliatory and welcoming suggestions about how to move forward," says Montclair State University political science professor Dr. Brigid Harrison.

"It remains to be seen whether voters are going to hold this against their member of Congress when it comes to those elections in 2014, but I think that the institution of Congress itself is very much damaged by this shutdown."

Dr. Harrison adds, "I don't see a whole lot of apology really on the part of any members of the House of Representatives, because I think that would indicate some culpability, and at this point, I don't think they want to do that."

She points out there is a recognition on the part of all of them, perhaps with the exception of those who are still advocating for the shutdown, "that there is a mea culpa to be done here - nobody is actually apologizing for the shutdown, but they're trying to finesse this, so that it looks like they're doing something and that they are on board at least with ending the shutdown."

Dr Harrison says that even though the government is now open again there will still be this disdain with which Congress is held.

"You have to remember that even on good days last year, Congress' approval rating was hovering between 9 and 12 percent. Most people despise Congress, but like their own individual member of Congress."

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