Congress
Congress' Job Approval at New Low of 10%
Republicans and Democrats equally negative
February 8, 2012
A record-low 10% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, down from 13% in January and the previous low of 11%, recorded in December 2011.
In U.S., Slightly More Want Obama to Set Course Than GOP
Obama has maintained slight edge since early 2011
January 13, 2012
Americans continue to say they want Barack Obama rather than the Republicans in Congress to have more influence over the direction the country takes this year, by a slim 46% to 42%. At the same time, Congress' approval rating overall is 13%, near the all-time low.
Americans' Economic Worries: Jobs, Debt, and Politicians
Few Americans say their economic worries focus on international issues or inequality
January 12, 2012
Americans name jobs, the national debt, continuing economic decline, outsourcing, and politicians' bickering -- including President Obama and Congress -- when asked to say what worries them most about the national economy at this time.
Congress Ends 2011 With Record-Low 11% Approval
Annual average for 2011, 17%, also lowest in Gallup history
December 19, 2011
A new record-low 11% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing this December, the lowest single rating in Gallup's history of asking this question since 1974. This earns Congress a 17% yearly average for 2011, the lowest annual congressional approval rating in Gallup history.
Election Matters: Obama Faces Tough Swing-State Landscape
December 13, 2011
Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport and USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page discuss the political landscape that President Obama faces in 12 key swing states.
Record 64% Rate Honesty, Ethics of Members of Congress Low
Ratings of nurses, pharmacists, and medical doctors most positive
December 12, 2011
Sixty-four percent of Americans rate the honesty and ethics of members of Congress as very low or low, tying the record for any profession. Americans give the most positive ratings to nurses, pharmacists, and doctors, and the lowest to members of Congress, lobbyists, and car salespeople.
Americans Down on Congressional Incumbents
December 9, 2011
Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals that a record-low 20% of Americans say most members of Congress deserve to be re-elected, but more than half say the U.S. representative from their congressional district should be re-elected.
Record High Anti-Incumbent Sentiment Toward Congress
But voters are more inclined to say their own representative deserves re-election
December 9, 2011
About three-quarters of registered voters (76%) say most members of Congress do not deserve re-election, the highest such percentage Gallup has measured in its 19-year history of asking this question.
Election Matters: Gingrich Sets Himself Apart
November 29, 2011
Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport and USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page discuss the measure on which Newt Gingrich is a clear leader among GOP presidential candidates, as well as upcoming challenges for Congress and some good news on the economic front.
Americans Blame Both Sides of "Supercommittee" for Failure
Public is not overly worried about impact on the economy or national debt
November 22, 2011
Most Americans, 55%, blame Republicans and Democrats on the debt "supercommittee" equally for its failing to reach agreement, with the rest more inclined to blame Republicans (24%) than Democrats (15%). Americans do not appear overly worried about the stalemate's effect on the debt or the economy.
Related Items
Congress' Job Approval Entrenched at Record Low of 13%
November 14, 2011
At 13%, Congress' Approval Ties All-Time Low
October 12, 2011
Half Say President, Congress Doing Worse Than Predecessors
September 29, 2011
Americans Express Historic Negativity Toward U.S. Government
September 26, 2011
Congressional Job Approval at 15%
September 12, 2011
