How Republicans view their party and key issues facing the country as the 118th Congress begins
Republicans now hold a narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here’s a look at their views on key issues and the GOP’s future.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Republicans now hold a narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here’s a look at their views on key issues and the GOP’s future.
Most U.S. adults say President Joe Biden (65%) and Republican leaders in Congress (61%) will be unsuccessful getting their agendas enacted in the next two years; only about a third say the president and GOP leaders will be successful. Republicans are less confident than Democrats in midterm vote counts – but more confident than they were after the 2020 election.
The economy is clearly the top issue for voters; fully 79% say it will be very important to their voting decisions – the highest share among 18 issues included on the survey. The public continues to take a dim view of current economic conditions. Just 17% of U.S. adults say the economy is in excellent or good shape, little changed from the 13% who said this in July.
The share of adults who are “basically content” with the federal government has risen to the highest point since 2004, driven by Democrats.
Twenty years ago, Americans came together – bonded by sadness and patriotism – after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But a review of public opinion in the two decades since finds that unity was fleeting. It also shows how support for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was strong initially but fell over time.
Pew Research Center’s political typology provides a roadmap to today’s fractured political landscape. It organizes the public into nine distinct groups, based on an analysis of their attitudes and values. Even in a polarized era, the 2021 survey reveals deep divisions in both partisan coalitions.
With less than five months until the 2020 elections, Americans are deeply unhappy with the state of the nation.
A large majority of Americans say additional COVID-19 aid is needed – and want Congress to pass it as soon as possible.
Comparable majorities of both candidates’ supporters say it “really matters” who wins in November, with large majorities on both sides saying a win by the opposing candidate would lead to “lasting harm” for the country.
A majority of Republicans now say that when thinking about the problems facing the country from the coronavirus, “the worst is behind us.” Just 23% of Democrats say the same.
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