Recent data from a Rasmussen Reports survey highlights widespread dissatisfaction with Congress among U.S. voters, reflecting a deep-seated disenchantment across various demographic and political spectrums. According to the survey, 59% of likely voters believe Congress is performing poorly, an increase from 52% in January.
Only 15% of voters view Congress’s performance as good or excellent, a decrease from 20% at the start of the year. The survey, which involved 1,100 likely voters and was conducted from March 26-28, showcases critical sentiments at a time when Congress shows a sharp partisan divide, with Republicans holding a slight majority in the House and Democrats in the Senate.
This division is mirrored in voter sentiment, where independent voters express particularly strong disapproval of Congress, more so than their Democrat and Republican counterparts. Specifically, 21% of independent voters believe their congressional representatives are the best for the job, compared to 38% of Democrats and 31% of Republicans.
Voting Box (Credits: mynbc15.com)
Disapproval rates vary across age demographics as well. Only 4% of voters aged 65 and over believe Congress is doing a good or excellent job, compared to 12% of voters aged 40-64 and 29% of voters under 40.
Among Those Who Disapprove of Biden’s Performance, Only 27% Would Vote
Racial demographics also show varied dissatisfaction, with 64% of white voters, 38% of Black voters, and 57% of other minorities rating Congress’s performance as poor. Gender differences in Congress’s approval ratings are evident, too, with only 18% of men and 12% of women rating Congress’s performance positively.
There is a stark contrast in perceptions based on income levels as well; 35% of voters earning over $200,000 annually rate Congress’s performance as good or excellent, whereas only 13% of those earning between $30,000 and $50,000 share this view.
Support for individual congressional representatives also appears to be influenced by the broader approval of presidential performance. Among those who strongly approve of President Joe Biden, 50% believe their local representative deserves re-election. Among those who disapprove of Biden’s performance, only 27% would vote their representative back into office.
Voting as an American (Credits: CNN)
Several factors contribute to the general disapproval of Congress, including gerrymandering, political polarization, and the influence of special interests, which are compounded by ongoing disputes such as the election of the House speaker and deadlocks over serious funding bills impacting border security, Israel, and Ukraine.
This survey paints a picture of a Congress at odds not only within its chambers but also with the electorate it serves. The findings suggest a call for greater accountability and effectiveness from lawmakers, reflecting a critical moment for legislative leadership despite mounting public and political challenges.
