Republicans Drive Congress’s Approval Rating Towards Record Lows

The Republican midterm election win has driven Congress’s approval ratings down even lower according to a new poll released by Gallup.

According to Gallup, “Gallup’s most current monthly rating of Congress, from a Dec. 8-11 poll, shows 16% of Americans approving of Congress. That is little changed from November, but remains down from a slightly higher 20% reading just before this year’s midterm elections. That is the only time Congress’ monthly approval rating has reached the 20% mark over the last two years. Approval fell to an all-time monthly low of 9% in November 2013 after the partial government shutdown.”

Gallup blamed the low approval ratings on the fact that control of Congress has been divided, but a better explanation is the lack of legislation passed by the Republican obstructed body combined with a Congress that since the Republican takeover of the House has not been responsive to the needs of the American people.

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The Koch agenda that has been pushed by House Republicans, and will be taken up by the Senate in January is not popular. Over the last few years, Congress has failed to pass a popular background checks bill for gun owners, an increase in the minimum wage, improving veterans benefits, extending unemployment benefits, and increased infrastructure spending. All of this legislation was popular with the American people but was killed by Congressional Republicans.

The do-nothingness of the Congress is likely to continue after Republicans take control. The problem isn’t divided government. The big issue is that Congress is being controlled by Republicans who only care about their donors. This isn’t a Congress that is working for the American people. It is a body that is only interested in those who are writing the biggest campaign contribution checks.

Expecting Republicans to be the solution to the problem that they caused, is not only unrealistic, it’s foolish.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association