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Democratic Spending Bills Retain Majority Support, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; But Democrats In Congress Lose Ground

A majority of Americans support the two spending bills being debated on Capitol Hill that are key to President Biden's economic agenda, with stronger support for the infrastructure bill than the broader social spending bill, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of adults released today.

Americans say 62 - 34 percent that they support a roughly $1 trillion spending bill to improve the nation's roads, bridges, broadband, and other infrastructure projects. This compares to 65 - 28 percent support in August. In today's poll, Democrats support the bill 85 - 11 percent, independents support it 62 - 35 percent, and Republicans oppose it 58 - 38 percent.

Americans say 57 - 40 percent that they support a $3.5 trillion spending bill on social programs such as child care, education, family tax breaks, and expanding Medicare for seniors, compared to 62 - 32 percent support in August. In today's poll, Democrats support the bill 92 - 5 percent, independents are split with 50 percent supporting it and 48 percent opposing it, and Republicans oppose it 68 - 28 percent.

"If it takes a trillion to build roads and bridges and expand broadband, so be it, say a majority of Americans. And, though fewer in number, more than half of Americans green light the 'human side' of the two bills, aimed at families, seniors, and the overall welfare of the population," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

On how much the federal government should be helping Americans:

  • 33 percent say the federal government should be doing a lot more to help Americans, regardless of the cost;
  • 40 percent say the federal government should be doing more to help Americans, but shouldn't spend too much;
  • 24 percent say the federal government doesn't need to do more to help Americans.

More than half of Americans (57 percent) say they think the United States needs to do more to address climate change, while 21 percent think the U.S. is doing too much to address climate change, and 16 percent think the U.S. is doing enough to address climate change.

CONGRESS

Both parties receive negative job approval ratings, as do the leaders in both the House and Senate.

  • Democrats in Congress: 30 percent approve, while 63 percent disapprove;
  • Republicans in Congress: 28 percent approve, while 63 percent disapprove;
  • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: 33 percent approve, while 61 percent disapprove;
  • Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: 32 percent approve, while 54 percent disapprove;
  • House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy: 27 percent approve, while 47 percent disapprove;
  • Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell: 23 percent approve, while 65 percent disapprove.

Democrats in Congress saw a 7-percentage point drop in their approval number since September, when Americans gave them a negative 37 - 53 percent rating, while Republicans in Congress saw a 5-percentage point increase in their approval number from September, when Americans gave them a negative 23 - 65 percent rating. Out of the congressional leaders, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer saw substantial changes in their approval ratings. In February 2021, Americans gave Pelosi a mixed approval rating, with 45 percent approving and 47 percent disapproving, while they gave Schumer a negative 37 - 42 percent rating.

CONTROL OF THE HOUSE

Americans were asked, if the election were held today, would they rather see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States House of Representatives. Forty-six percent say they would rather see the Republican Party win control, while 43 percent say the Democratic Party, with 11 percent not offering an opinion. In September, 42 percent said the Republican Party, 45 percent said the Democratic Party, and 14 percent did not offer an opinion.

Among registered voters, 47 percent say they would rather see the Republican Party win control, while 44 percent say the Democratic Party, with 9 percent not offering an opinion. In September, 43 percent of registered voters said the Republican Party, 47 percent said the Democratic Party, and 11 percent did not offer an opinion.

"Though the numbers are not overwhelming, they signal a potentially ominous trend for Democrats as a plurality of voters recommend tossing out the party that controls the House," adds Malloy.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Most Americans say 71 - 20 percent that they think social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are a bad thing for teenagers. Among the youngest Americans surveyed, those 18 - 34 years of age, 56 percent say it's a bad thing, while 35 percent say it's a good thing.

A slim majority of Americans say 51 - 45 percent that they do not think there should be more government regulation over social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

There is a political divide, as Republicans say 61 - 36 percent and independents say 54 - 43 percent that they do not think there should be more government regulation, while Democrats say 59 - 36 percent that there should be more government regulation.

"Just because they connect teens socially doesn't mean the most prominent web platforms are doing them any good. In a bruising indictment of social media, American households wave a red flag of concern. But who is going to police it? Not the government," adds Malloy.

1,326 U.S. adults nationwide were surveyed from October 1st - 4th with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.

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