It’s unclear if hell has frozen over or if pigs could now fly, but a new Gallup poll reveals that Congress’s popularity has reached a 12-year peak.
The legislature’s approval rating is still underwater – only 36% of Americans approve of its performance – but the latest number represents a greater than two-fold increase since mid December.
Amy Walter, national editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, attributed the rise to two factors: the passage of The American Rescue Plan and a new tone from the Biden administration. “First, it helps that Congress is giving out money,” Walter told The Washington Post. “Second, you don’t have a president who is constantly stoking anger with the place and the people in it.”
In January, Democrats took majorities in both the House and the Senate. The last time Congress’ approval was this high – 2009 – Democrats likewise controlled both chambers and The White House.
According to FiveThirtyEight, 54% of American approve of President Joe Biden, while 39.7% disapprove.
Gallup’s polling also reveals that Americans’ economic confidence and their satisfaction with the direction of the country are both on the rise, although the numbers remain historically low following the pandemic.
Republicans tend to have a bleaker view of the U.S. and its elected officials, with less than 10% percent approving of Congressional actions, according to Gallup.
The Washington Post notes that Democrats might struggle to maintain their public approval momentum:
…Democrats are now turning to the more difficult part of their agenda, proposing higher taxes to pay for a massive infrastructure package. They remain in a stalemate over how to address immigration laws, gun control and raising the minimum wage. Failure to pass these key liberal agenda items would deflate Democratic voters, but approving them in a hyperpartisan fashion could again alienate independents.
