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The Numbers Are In, And Pretty Much Everyone Thinks Congress Is Useless

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Michael Bastasch DCNF Managing Editor
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Americans have a pretty dim view of both the Republican and Democratic leadership in Congress, according to a new poll.

Grid-lock and repeated failures to deliver on legislative promises seems to be taking its toll, and voters overwhelmingly disapprove of pretty much everyone in power.

In fact, Americans have a higher job approval rating of President Donald Trump, at 34 percent, than they do of either GOP of Democratic leadership, at 22 percent and 29 percent, respectively, according to the Pew Research Center.

“Since earlier this year, approval ratings for the congressional leaders of both parties have fallen – largely because fewer Republicans and Democrats are expressing positive views of their own parties’ leaders,” reads Pew’s analysis of recent polling results.

Pew notes that “34% of Americans, including 68% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, said they approved of the way GOP leaders in Congress were handling their jobs” back in February.

Now, only 39 percent of Republicans believe their party’s leaders are doing a good job. It’s a similar story for Democrats — approval of their leaders has fallen 8 percentage points since February.

Now, “just 44% of Democrats and Democratic leaners approve of their party’s congressional leaners, down from 58% eight months ago,” Pew reported.

While Trump is fairing better in terms of public approval, his numbers are still low. Thirty-four percent of Americans approve of his overall performance, but 59 percent disapprove.

The GOP rolled out its tax reform plan Thursday, cueing up for another major legislative fight. Trump promised tax reform on the campaign trail, in particular promising to cut corporate and income taxes.

Democrats have already come out strong against the proposal, calling it a handout for the wealthy. Twenty-four percent of Americans are not confident Democrats will make wise decisions on tax policy.

For Trump, 42 percent are “not at all confident” he will make wise decisions on tax reform, and 31 percent have no confidence in Republican leaders. Some 22 percent said they were “very confident” Trump would make good decisions on taxes.

On the other hand, only 9 percent could say the same about Republicans and just 11 percent were “very confident” in Democrats on the issue.

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