Americans see their Congress in a rosier light these days. Accordingly, Congress saw a 20-point increase in its approval rating over the last two months, a jump that surely has Democrats basking in the good news. Thirty-nine percent of Americans now approve of the way national lawmakers handle their jobs. Increased satisfaction among Democrats is largely responsible for the spike. So tell me — do you approve or disapprove of Congress? Be sure to tell me why in the comments!
All Saints
Mishumo
Barbour
I don't think there's cause to celebrate, but it does at least look like things are getting done and voters will feel some benefit.
119 to 39, huh? Still an F.
2I approve, not totally of course, but for the most part.
3The issues I care about are finally being addressed. I'm not jumping for joy but we seem to be headed in the right direction.
4Nope
5Nope
6Right now congressional democrats are paying the republicans back. Once they stop playing partisan politics, and get back to the business of running and helping the country, I'll be happy.
7I don't think the poll is valid until Minnesota determines which clown to send to Washington: the pro-gun, pro-life w/everything else liberal Norm Coleman, or the really bad comedian Al Franken. Whoever wins, we in MN all lose.
8I think it is a hard question to answer because "Congress" is so many, many people. I think the dems are making progress, but I wish Pelosi would learn how to present her ideas in a better way. I also think some of the Republicans, not all, are suggesting completely absurd things like having a Federal spending freeze. I try to not to judge all Republicans based on what Boehner says, because I know he doesn't speak for everyone, but that is one heck of a bad idea and I am surprised more congressional Republicans haven't spoken up in disagreement.
I think the earmark debate needs to come down to reality. I think that there is a lot of wasteful spending that comes in the form of earmarks, but there is a lot of good spending that are in earmarks as well. I think it makes a mockery of our entire system when Republicans bash earmarks, when many of those same representatives put earmarks in themselves! I think it shows how false their argument is.
9I agree Jillness. Personally, I'm a huge fan of earmarks. It's the responsibility of congress to earmark money so that it has transparency. If they don't ear mark it and spend it in congress, the money is spent with no transparency. Look at the TARP funds, no ear marks, no transparency, no idea where the money went.
They need to be talking about voting against the appropriation bills. Not the earmarks.
10To reiterate, cutting ear marks in no way cuts spending.
11The problem is the notion that Congress is there "fighting for us" Jillness. In every state I've lived in, come election time you can see folks running for Congress, Senate especially preaching about how they are going to "fight for us" and "put first".
This is crap. Senators are there to serve and progress the union, not look out for their state. Voters have grown to have a sense of entitlement, and it's a game of "how much can they do for our state in Washington". The house of Reps is apportioned according to population, and states' needs should be addressed there.
Here's the top 10 earmarkers, ALL Senators.
1. Thad Cochran, R-Miss.: $474 million
2. Roger Wicker, R-Miss.: $391 million
3. Mary Landrieu, D-La.: $332 million
4. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa: $292 million
5. David Vitter, R-La.: $249 million
6. Christopher Bond, R-Mo.: $248 million
7. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.: $235 million
8. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii: $225 million
9. Richard Shelby, R-Ala.: $219 million
10. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa: $199 million
Currently, the congressional Republicans are turned upside down. The House Republicans are holding the line on spending, and the Senators are bringing on the earmarks. Democrats in both houses spend spend spend, but we expect that.
12im sorry but i have no idea what congress is doing any different, can someone please enlighten me?
13change you can believe in, for sure
14Their rating couldn't get much lower. It had to go up eventually. It won't last long.
15flutter I was wondering that too.
i think this rise is just on the coattails of the rise in the president's approval rating. people are just more optimistic i guess.
16i think its kinda funny that the obamabots are the ones with the sudden burst of optimism seeing as pelosi and company will be obamas biggest downfall
17I think the world leaders have been sending notes to the administration that his negativism is crushing a recovery world wide.
18Nancy Pelosi scares me
19I agree with haus.
It's interesting, because I've seen several polls in which the majority of people disagree with the bailout, but Congress' approval rating is still rising. (Although, I guess the majority does still disapprove, so maybe it does still kind of make sense.)
20I think the options should have read FAIL or WIN.
21What is beyond laughable, While the MSM was quick to point out that Rush Limbaugh has a 19% approval rating, Nancy Peloisi only has an 18% approval rating. Which poll number is most news worthy, a radio commentator, or sitting Speaker of the House?
22Here's a breakdown of the top 20 earmarking senators and the value of their solo earmarks:
Just incase you want to write you're representative. I know I did.
1) Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va. -- $122,804,900
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla. -- $53,133,500
232) Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala. -- $114,484,250
3) Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo. -- $85,691,491
4) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. -- $76,899,425
5) Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss. -- $75,908,475
6) Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska -- $74,000,750
7) Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa -- $66,860,000
9) Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. -- $51,186,000
10) Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii -- $46,380,205
11) Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. -- $39,228,250
12) Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D. -- $36,547,100
13) Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt. -- $36,161,125
14) Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. -- $35,577,250
15) Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa. -- $27,169,750
16) Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. -- $26,628,613
17) Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa. -- $25,320,000
18) Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis. -- $23,832,000
19) Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. -- $21,952,250
20) Former Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M. -- $19,588,625
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