Poll: Congressional approval holding steady at 15 percent
Americans’ approval of Congress is at 15% in February, one percentage point higher than in January and exactly matching the 15% average for all of 2012. More than eight in 10 Americans (81%) disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job
Congress’ current 15% approval rating is up slightly from the all-time low of 10% recorded in February and August 2012. Just before the presidential election last year, approval increased to 21% in October, but then fell to 18% in November and December and has been lower still, at 14% and 15%, over the first two months of this year.
Congressional job approval continues to be at the low end of the historical spectrum. The February reading of 15% matches last year’s average, which was the lowest yearly average in Gallup’s history extending back to 1974. More broadly, Americans’ approval of Congress has been low for several years now, averaging 17% in 2011 and 19% in 2010.
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What about the senate? The ones who are REALLY holding up things.
watertown on February 20, 2013 at 8:23 AM
Let’s implement Legislative and Judicial Orders and have a rock-paper-sissors style government. Can’t be any worse.
Xavier on February 20, 2013 at 8:26 AM
Nothing says “distinguished” like 15% approval – right Pelosi?
Free Indeed on February 20, 2013 at 8:50 AM
That is at least twice as much as it needs to be for every incumbent to be reelected.
tom daschle concerned on February 20, 2013 at 8:51 AM
I still think it’s a useless stat. A significant % thinks Congress isn’t doing it’s job because it isn’t spending enough, another % thinks it isn’t cutting taxes enough. More regulation. Less regulation. Do something. Don’t do something.
Each has it’s constituency regardless of time and the %’s fluctuated in relation to how good or bad the economy was. Polarization of the electorate aside, the problem now is Congress doesn’t have the maneuverability it once had to address the problems by kicking the can down the road which could, in turn, raise the number.
Of course it doesn’t help matters that the country’s top dog-eater vilifies Congress at every turn while also doing everything in it’s power to delegitimize it. And of course the MSM is all in on promoting that theme.
One would almost think the purpose behind it all is to promote the idea that a one-man operation is the way to solve problems.
Dusty on February 20, 2013 at 10:13 AM