Americans now see reducing the budget deficit as a higher priority for the president and Congress to address than in recent years. But strengthening the economy continues to be the public’s top policy priority.
Americans show more support than opposition for two infrastructure bills; majorities favor raising taxes on large businesses and high-income households.
Response to the pandemic has pushed the federal budget higher than it's been in decades, but Americans are slightly less concerned about the deficit than in recent years.
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 […]