---
title: "Proposals to Reduce Deficit and Debt"
description: "Two-thirds (67%) of Americans approve of raising the tax rate on incomes over $250,000 as a means of reducing the national debt."
date: "2011-09-30"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2011/09/30/proposals-to-reduce-deficit-and-debt/"
---

# Proposals to Reduce Deficit and Debt

Two-thirds (67%) of Americans approve of raising the tax rate on incomes over $250,000 as a means of reducing the national debt. This is virtually unchanged from May (66% approve). Just 30% disapprove of raising tax rates for incomes above $250,000. More than eight-in-ten (82%) Democrats support such a tax increase as do 67% of independents. Republicans disapprove of the idea by 51% to 47%. About half who approve of raising the tax rate on incomes above $250,000 – 33% of the public overall – say they strongly approve of this proposal. By contrast, only about a third of those who disapprove – 10% of the public – say they strongly disapprove of raising tax rates for incomes above $250,000.[Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2011/09/26/obama-draws-more-confidence-than-gop-leaders-on-deficit/?src=prc-number)