Little Public Support for Reductions in Federal Spending
When Americans are asked to make up the budget for the federal government, they have little appetite for austerity measures. Asked about 13 different government program areas, from veterans benefits to foreign aid, no more than about a quarter favor reducing spending in any specific area. The survey by Pew Research Center, conducted March 20-25 […]
How Republicans and Democrats View Federal Spending
If you were making up the budget for the federal government this year, would you increase spending, decrease spending or keep spending the same for … See related report: “Little Public Support for Reductions in Federal Spending”
Public Trust in Government: 1958-2019
Public trust in the government remains near historic lows. Only 17% of Americans today say they can trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (3%) or “most of the time” (14%). When the National Election Study began asking about trust in government in 1958, about three-quarters of Americans trusted […]
Growing Partisan Divide Over Fairness of the Nation’s Tax System
As the April 15 tax deadline approaches, overall public views of the fairness of the nation’s tax system have changed only modestly since 2017, before passage of major tax legislation. However, partisan differences on tax fairness have increased considerably since then, and now are wider than at any point in at least two decades. Two […]
Large Majorities in Both Parties Say NATO Is Good for the U.S.
As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) celebrates its 70th anniversary this month, Americans overwhelmingly say being a member of NATO is beneficial for the United States.
Majority Says Trump Has Done ‘Too Little’ to Distance Himself From White Nationalists
The public’s views of Donald Trump have changed little over the course of his presidency – and this is the case for opinions about whether Trump has done enough to distance himself from white nationalist groups. In a new survey, a 56% majority says Trump has done too little to distance himself from white nationalist […]
Political Independents: Who They Are, What They Think
Most independents are not all that “independent” politically. And the small share of Americans who are truly independent stand out for their low level of interest in politics.
Public’s 2019 Priorities: Economy, Health Care, Education and Security All Near Top of List
Growing share sees ‘great deal of difference’ between the parties
Trump Begins Third Year With Low Job Approval and Doubts About His Honesty
At the second anniversary of his inauguration, public views of Donald Trump’s job performance, as well as his honesty and administration’s ethics, are decidedly negative. Yet opinions about the nation’s economy continue to be positive – and Trump’s handling of the economy remains a relative strength. Trump begins his third year with a 37% job […]
Most Border Wall Opponents, Supporters Say Shutdown Concessions Are Unacceptable
Partisan divide on whether shutdown is ‘very serious’ problem
Most Voters Have Positive Views of Their Midterm Voting Experiences
Voters approached the 2018 midterm elections with some trepidation about the voting process and many had concerns that U.S. election systems may be hacked. After the election, however, most say it was “very easy” to vote and confidence in election security has increased.
Conflicting Partisan Priorities for U.S. Foreign Policy
The public’s leading long-range foreign policy goals for the United States are focused on security, including economic security. About seven-in-ten (72%) say that taking measures to protect the U.S. from terrorist attacks should be a top priority for the country, while about as many (71%) say the same about protecting the jobs of American workers.
Public Expects Gridlock, Deeper Divisions With Changed Political Landscape
The public is generally positive about the outcome of last week’s midterm elections. Yet most Americans think that neither Democratic congressional leaders nor Donald Trump will be successful in getting their policies passed into law during the next two years.
More Now Say It’s ‘Stressful’ to Discuss Politics With People They Disagree With
Over the past two years, Americans have become more likely to say it is “stressful and frustrating” to have political conversations with those they disagree with. The change in opinions has come largely among Democrats: 57% now say that talking about politics with people they disagree with is stressful and frustrating, up from 45% two […]
Elections in America: Concerns Over Security, Divisions Over Expanding Access to Voting
With a week to go before Election Day, Americans are confident their local election authorities are up to the essential tasks of making sure that elections are run smoothly and that votes are counted accurately.
Gun Policy Remains Divisive, But Several Proposals Still Draw Bipartisan Support
The partisan divide that for years has defined public opinion about the nation’s gun policies remains firmly in place. Yet there continue to be several specific policy proposals that draw broad support from both Republicans and Democrats.
Little Partisan Agreement on the Pressing Problems Facing the U.S.
With less than four weeks until the midterm elections, Republican and Democratic voters differ widely in views of the seriousness of numerous problems facing the United States, including the fairness of the criminal justice system, climate change, economic inequality and illegal immigration. Majorities of registered voters who support Democratic candidates for Congress rate 13 of […]
2018 Midterm Voters: Issues and Political Values
Supporters of Republican and Democratic candidates in the upcoming congressional election are deeply divided over the government’s role in ensuring health care, the fairness of the nation’s economic system and views of racial equality in the United States.
Trump Gets Negative Ratings for Many Personal Traits, but Most Say He Stands Up for His Beliefs
Donald Trump receives generally negative ratings from the public across a range of personal traits and characteristics. Just 24% of Americans say Trump is even-tempered, while nearly three times as many (70%) say that description does not apply to him. Fewer than half say that Trump is a strong leader (43%), well-informed (38%), empathetic (36%) […]
Voter Enthusiasm at Record High in Nationalized Midterm Environment
With less than six weeks to go before the elections for Congress, voter enthusiasm is at its highest level during any midterm in more than two decades.
