Americans have little appetite for austerity in government programs. Most either want to increase spending or maintain it at current levels. At the same time, their trust in the federal government remains near a historic low.
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.
About half of Americans say reducing the budget deficit should be a top policy priority this year for the president and Congress.
Partisans have moved apart not just in political values and approaches to addressing issues, but also on the issues they identify as top priorities.
Here is a look at public opinion on important issues facing the United States, from Americans' views of trade to the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Growing share sees 'great deal of difference' between the parties
Some 44% of liberal Democrats say they have used social media in the past year to encourage others to take action on an issue that was important to them. A similar share (43%) have taken part in a group that shares their interest in a cause.
With this year’s midterm elections just a week away, here are some key findings from Pew Research Center surveys over the past several months about some of the dynamics and issues shaping the battle for Congress.
In the nearly two years since the 2016 presidential election, Americans’ views of the seriousness of several national problems have changed, with concerns about drug addiction, college affordability, sexism and racism on the rise.
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.
