Congress’ approval ratings sink to ‘near-record low for the institution’

April 17, 2006

Sure, the president’s national support has dropped precipitously in recent months, but through it all, he can be thankful for one thing: at least his approval rating is higher than Congress’.

Public approval of the job Congress is doing has dipped to its lowest level of 2006, and is now the worst Gallup has recorded since the closing days of the Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994.

According to an April 10-13, 2006, Gallup Poll, 23% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, while 70% disapprove. The current approval score is slightly below the 25%-27% range seen since January.

The current 23% approval rating for Congress is a near-record low for the institution. Gallup’s trend for this question, which started in 1974, shows lower approval scores on only three other occasions: October 1994 (21%), March 1992 (18%), and June 1979 (19%).

Gallup also found that not only do independents and Democrats disapprove of Congress overwhelmingly, but Republicans also disapprove of the job Congress is doing today. At this point, only 37% of Republicans approve of the Republican Congress, while 57% disapprove.

Nobody’s happy; everyone wants a change. If only this were October instead of April.

“At this point, only 37% of Republicans approve of the Republican Congress, while 57% disapprove.”

That would be both of the last fiscal conservatives in America.

  • And just sit back and watch while Democrats do what they have been lately – nothing. We are on the right side of every issue important to the American people and STILL don’t capitalize on it.

    Harry Reid should abandon the “unanimous consent” way of letting the Republican Guard stomp us and fight tooth-and-nail to stop the GOP agenda before it does MORE irreparable damage to the country.

    This is the time to fight, NOW, not October and November. Just by stopping the pernicious policies of the Republican Guard we would demonstrate that not only can we lead, but that we would do what’s necessary to prevent WWIII and the bankruptcy of the country.

  • Perhaps a vigorous fall campaign focusing on same-sex marriage and flag burning amendments will raise the stature of congress.

  • Oh, you silly voters! You don’t have to approve of Congress — it’s not for you! Haliburton and Diebold are happy — that’s all that matters.

  • This is the time to fight, NOW, not October and November. Just by stopping the pernicious policies of the Republican Guard we would demonstrate that not only can we lead, but that we would do what’s necessary to prevent WWIII and the bankruptcy of the country. Comment by Bill Arnett

    I agree. Where’s Hillary on this or anything of substance? I’m glad I’m not the only one who believes it’s way past time to start fighting. There is a lot at stake here

  • I wonder when someone in the administration is going to suggest that Congress simply be done away with; I’m surprised they haven’t come up with that angle yet. They’re nothing but a thorn in the side of the nation, if you give combined credence to what the various Beltway folks are saying. The GOP says the Dems are obstructrionists; the Dems say the same thing about the GOP. I’m waiting for the day when someone says—“Y’know, maybe BOTH sides are right in that aspect!”

  • Will the voters change the make of Congress in anyway or will they do the typical “not my congressman” thing at which point nothing really changes.

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