Democratic Spending Bills Retain Majority Support, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; But Democrats In Congress Lose Ground
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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.
Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll
Email poll@qu.edu, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.
Poll Questions
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Question 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 28% 59% 7% 25% 30% 25% 21% 38% Disapprove 63 33 86 66 61 65 73 53 DK/NA 9 8 7 9 9 9 6 9 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 26% 28% 28% 27% 35% 30% 32% 14% 25% Disapprove 65 61 65 66 59 60 59 78 64 DK/NA 9 11 7 7 7 10 8 8 11 -
Question 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 30% 2% 68% 23% 25% 35% 38% 19% Disapprove 63 95 24 70 68 58 58 74 DK/NA 7 2 7 7 7 7 4 7 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 31% 31% 27% 39% 22% 29% 25% 57% 30% Disapprove 60 60 70 57 74 64 69 33 63 DK/NA 9 9 3 4 4 8 6 10 6 -
Question 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mitch McConnell is handling his job as Minority Leader of the U.S. Senate?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 23% 41% 11% 21% 25% 21% 23% 28% Disapprove 65 46 78 68 66 64 72 58 DK/NA 12 12 10 11 9 14 6 14 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 17% 23% 23% 31% 28% 24% 26% 24% 14% Disapprove 66 67 66 63 65 62 63 67 71 DK/NA 17 10 11 6 7 15 11 9 15 -
Question 5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Chuck Schumer is handling his job as Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 32% 13% 64% 25% 28% 37% 41% 21% Disapprove 54 77 23 62 61 48 53 62 DK/NA 13 10 13 13 12 15 6 17 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 28% 33% 32% 44% 25% 31% 28% 55% 29% Disapprove 48 58 58 50 66 53 59 36 54 DK/NA 24 9 11 7 10 16 13 10 17 -
Question 6. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Nancy Pelosi is handling her job as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 33% 3% 73% 25% 26% 40% 43% 20% Disapprove 61 95 20 69 69 54 53 75 DK/NA 5 2 6 5 5 5 3 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 27% 33% 33% 47% 22% 33% 27% 70% 26% Disapprove 65 61 65 50 75 62 68 23 69 DK/NA 8 5 2 3 3 5 4 7 5 -
Question 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Kevin McCarthy is handling his job as Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 27% 44% 15% 27% 29% 26% 22% 29% Disapprove 47 33 61 49 49 46 58 42 DK/NA 25 22 23 24 22 29 20 29 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 20% 25% 31% 35% 29% 24% 26% 30% 27% Disapprove 45 52 49 49 49 46 48 53 42 DK/NA 35 23 20 15 22 29 26 17 31 -
Question 8. If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States House of Representatives?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Republican Party 46% 97% 3% 48% 52% 40% 43% 62% Democratic Party 43 1 94 34 36 49 51 25 DK/NA 11 1 3 18 12 10 6 13 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Republican Party 38% 41% 58% 46% 60% 51% 56% 9% 43% Democratic Party 47 43 37 50 28 39 34 79 48 DK/NA 15 16 5 4 12 9 11 12 9 -
Question 23. Do you support or oppose a roughly $1 trillion spending bill to improve the nation's roads, bridges, broadband, and other infrastructure projects?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 62% 38% 85% 62% 64% 60% 72% 54% Oppose 34 58 11 35 33 35 26 40 DK/NA 4 4 3 2 4 5 2 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 65% 62% 56% 70% 63% 57% 60% 78% 58% Oppose 31 32 41 26 35 37 36 20 38 DK/NA 4 6 3 4 2 7 4 2 4 -
Question 24. Do you support or oppose a $3.5 trillion spending bill on social programs such as child care, education, family tax breaks, and expanding Medicare for seniors?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 57% 28% 92% 50% 50% 64% 53% 47% Oppose 40 68 5 48 47 33 44 50 DK/NA 3 4 3 1 3 3 3 3 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 72% 61% 49% 53% 43% 55% 49% 89% 64% Oppose 24 37 48 43 55 41 48 9 33 DK/NA 4 2 3 3 2 4 3 2 3 -
Question 25. Which comes closest to your point of view: the federal government should be doing a lot more to help Americans, regardless of the cost; the federal government should be doing more to help Americans, but shouldn't spend too much; or the federal government doesn't need to do more to help Americans?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Help a lot more 33% 11% 61% 27% 29% 37% 27% 26% Help/Don't overspend 40 44 34 44 38 42 43 41 Don't help 24 39 3 26 29 18 27 29 DK/NA 3 5 2 3 3 3 2 4 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Help a lot more 47% 30% 29% 30% 23% 30% 27% 63% 39% Help/Don't overspend 34 42 42 45 40 43 41 28 42 Don't help 17 26 27 21 34 24 29 5 18 DK/NA 1 2 3 5 2 4 3 4 1 -
Question 26. Do you think the United States is doing enough to address climate change, doing too much, or do you think more needs to be done to address climate change?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Doing enough 16% 30% 4% 18% 20% 13% 18% 18% Doing too much 21 42 2 25 24 19 18 31 More to be done 57 23 91 53 50 63 61 45 DK/NA 5 5 3 4 5 5 3 6 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Doing enough 12% 18% 19% 16% 20% 17% 18% 13% 13% Doing too much 15 17 30 20 31 23 27 2 14 More to be done 70 57 47 58 45 54 50 79 67 DK/NA 3 8 3 6 4 6 5 5 6 REGION................... DENSITY............ NEast MWest South West City Suburb Rural Doing enough 15% 16% 18% 15% 12% 18% 21% Doing too much 16 27 24 15 13 22 33 More to be done 65 50 53 63 68 57 41 DK/NA 3 6 5 6 6 3 4 -
Question 37. Do you think there should be more government regulation over social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, or don't you think so?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes 45% 36% 59% 43% 45% 45% 52% 43% No 51 61 36 54 52 50 42 53 DK/NA 4 3 4 3 3 5 6 4 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 33% 38% 51% 63% 48% 44% 46% 55% 37% No 65 58 46 31 49 50 50 43 62 DK/NA 2 4 3 6 3 6 4 2 1 -
Question 38. In general, do you think social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are a good thing or bad thing for teenagers?
ADULTS..................................................... WHITE........ 4 YR COLL DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Good thing 20% 17% 28% 15% 22% 18% 14% 17% Bad thing 71 78 63 75 70 72 80 74 DK/NA 9 5 9 10 8 10 6 9 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Good thing 35% 16% 14% 12% 17% 15% 16% 25% 29% Bad thing 56 71 79 81 77 75 76 62 63 DK/NA 9 13 7 7 6 10 8 13 8