Current Events

48% See Immediate Need to Fight Global Warming

Americans agree that an international agreement to fight global warming is more likely to hurt rather than help the U.S. economy, but they still tend to favor such an agreement even if it dictates to businesses in this country how they must operate.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that nearly half (48%) of American Adults believe we must take immediate action to stop global warming. Thirty-six percent (36%) say we should wait a few years to see if global warming is real before making major changes. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 20-21, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Only 33% of Americans Can Find Scotland On a Map?

While Great Britain is holding its breath today to see if the Scots vote for independence, most Americans (51%) have no opinion about the referendum and only 33% think most of their fellow countrymen can even locate Scotland on a map.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% of American Adults favor Scotland becoming an independent nation rather than remaining part of Great Britain. Nineteen percent (19%) oppose them gaining independence, but half of Americans (51%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 16-17, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Say More Sanctions Yes, Military Aid No in Ukraine

Voters say sanctions against Russia haven’t done much to ease tensions in Ukraine, but they favor stepping up that pressure if fighting in Ukraine resumes.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters now view Ukraine as a vital national security interest for the United States these days. That’s up from 26% in mid-April. Nearly as many (37%), however, still believe Ukraine is not critical to U.S. national security. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 5-6, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

How Important Is It on Election Day if A Congressman Voted for Obamacare?

Voters are more skeptical than ever that Obamacare can be fixed any time soon but remain almost evenly divided on the impact the health care law will have on their voting decisions this November.

Thirty-five percent (35%) of Likely U.S. Voters say they are more likely to vote for a member of Congress who supports the law, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Slightly more (38%) say they are less likely to vote for an Obamacare supporter. Nineteen percent (19%) say a Congress member’s position on the law will have no impact on their voting decision.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 1-2, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Strongly Oppose Obama's Amnesty Plan for Illegal Immigrants

Most voters oppose President Obama's reported plan to unilaterally grant amnesty to several million illegal immigrants and think Congress should challenge him in court if he goes ahead with it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters oppose the president granting amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants without the approval of Congress. Just 26% are in favor of Obama's plan, while 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 28-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Should Local Schools Admit the Latest Illegal Immigrants?

School districts around the country are beginning to discover where the Obama administration has moved many of the new illegal immigrants, but most voters don’t believe these youngsters should be allowed to attend local schools.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Likely U.S. Voters think these illegal immigrants should be allowed to enroll in local public schools this fall, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-three percent (53%) disagree and say they should not be permitted to attend local schools. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 16-17, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters, Feds Have Competing Immigration Agendas

Where are the feds when you need them? An increasing majority of voters believes gaining control of the border is the most important immigration reform needed, but they still think the federal government encourages illegal immigration instead.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters think gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing the status of undocumented workers already living in the United States. This is up slightly from 58% in May but is the highest level of support for border control in over two years.Thirty-three percent (33%) believe it’s more important to legalize those already living here, but that's at a two-year low. (To see question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 14-15, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Think Americans More Supportive of Israel than Obama, Media Are

Most voters believe their fellow Americans stand behind Israel more than the Palestinians when it comes to the fighting in Gaza, but they aren’t as sure about the Obama administration or the media here and abroad.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Likely U.S. Voters say that, in the current conflict in Gaza, most Americans are supportive of the Israelis. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only eight percent (8%) believe Americans are more supportive of the Palestinians, while 11% think they are equally supportive of both. Eight percent (8%) think most Americans support neither side. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 10-11, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Are States, National Guard the Answer to Illegal Immigration?

Most voters rate the federal government’s handling of illegal immigration as poor and think states should be able to act on their own to stop the problem. They also favor use of the National Guard in their own state to deal with illegal immigrants.

Just 13% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the federal government is doing a good or excellent job dealing with the illegal immigration problem in this country. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% rate the government’s performance in this area as poor. (To see survey question wording,click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Are Less Wary of U.S. Involvement in Middle East

Voters have long expressed little enthusiasm for getting more involved in Middle East politics, but they are slightly less likely to think this involvement hurts both the region and the United States.

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Likely U.S. Voters now believe that U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern politics hurts stability in that region, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s down five points from 37% last August. Just as many (31%) now say U.S. involvement helps stability in the Middle East, up from 25% last year. Twenty-two percent (22%) believe U.S. involvement has no impact on that region, while 15% more aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 25-26, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Voters See Another Cold War Coming

Most voters don’t want the United States to provide military assistance to Ukraine to help fight pro-Russian rebels there, perhaps in part because they feel more strongly than ever that the U.S.-Soviet Cold War is beginning to repeat itself.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that the United States and Russia will return to a 1950s-like Cold War relationship over the next few years. That’s up 18 points from 45% in March and up 27 points from 36% in August 2013. Just 29% see a Cold War scenario as unlikely. This includes 21% who say it’s Very Likely the United States and Russia will return to a Cold War relationship and just four percent (4%) who think it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 23-24, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans See Limits on Citizenship for Children of Illegals As Best Way to Stop Illegal Immigration

Americans still overwhelmingly believe in the importance of closing the border to future illegal immigration despite the federal government’s failure to do so. Rasmussen Reports asked Americans the best way to stop illegal immigration and found continuing support for certain actions the government could take.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of American Adults think it is important to secure the border to prevent future illegal immigration, with 60% who say it is Very Important. This is up slightly from 78% and 57% respectively in April of last year. Just 16% consider sealing the border against illegal immigration not very or Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 8-9, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

46% Believe Obama Administration Has Encouraged Young Illegal Immigrants To Come

Nearly half of U.S. voters believe the Obama administration has prompted the flood of illegal immigrant children at the border, and most want them sent back home right away.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters think that the administration, through its statements and policies, has encouraged this wave of illegal immigration. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree, but 23% more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 6, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

48% Are Pro-Choice, 44% Pro-Life

When it comes to the issue of abortion, the number of voters who consider themselves pro-life is at an all-time high.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters now consider themselves pro-choice, while 44% are pro-life. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 30 – July 1, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

49% Favor Religious Exemption from Contraceptive Mandate, 39% Oppose

Half of voters agree with the U.S. Supreme Court that a business owner should be able to opt out of Obamacare’s contraceptive mandate if it violates his or her religious beliefs. But most also say a company’s level of contraceptive coverage is not that important to their decision to work there.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters think businesses should be required by law to provide health insurance that covers all government-approved contraceptives for women without co-payments or other charges to the patient. Slightly more (47%) say companies should not be required to meet this contraceptive mandate included in the new national health care law. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 30 - July1, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

68% Think U.S. Needs Stricter Enforcement of Existing Gun Laws

Support for stricter gun control laws is up slightly from March’s recent low, but voters still feel much more strongly that there needs to be stricter enforcement of laws already on the books.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of Likely Voters believe the United States needs stricter gun control laws. That’s up six points from March but similar to findings for much of last year. Slightly more (48%) still oppose stricter gun control laws. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 26-27, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC . See methodology. 

Voters Blame Bush, Obama Equally for Current Problems in Iraq

Almost immediately after the situation in Iraq went from bad to worse, lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle began pointing fingers at the opposing party’s policies. Voters are evenly divided over whether it was the actions and policies of George W. Bush or Barack Obama that have contributed more to the crisis in Iraq today, but the current administration gets lackluster reviews for its response thus far. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the Obama administration’s handling of the situation in Iraq as good or excellent. Forty percent (40%) say the administration has done a poor job responding to the crisis there. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 24-25, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

39% Think U.S. Should Welcome All Immigrants Who Are Willing to Work Hard

Americans have mixed feelings about potential immigrants to this country and still tend to prefer those who can best help the economy. They also continue to believe that immigrants from countries with terrorist activity should get closer scrutiny.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of American Adults believe the United States should welcome all potential immigrants, other than national security threats, who are willing to work hard and able to support their family. That’s up a bit from 36% a year ago. But slightly more (43%) still disagree with a policy that welcoming. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 11-12, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

31% Favor Increasing Legal Immigration If Border Is Secured

Americans are slightly more supportive of increasing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the United States if the federal government can fully secure the border first to prevent future illegal immigration. But most still want to decrease legal immigration or keep it about the same.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of American Adults now think the government should increase the number of immigrants allowed to legally enter the country if it actually secures the border and prevents illegal immigration. That’s up from 26% a year ago. 

But nearly as many (29%) want to decrease the level of legal immigration instead, while another 29% prefer to leave things unchanged. This compares to 38% who wanted to decrease legal immigration in May of last year and 24% who felt things should stay the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 11-12, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

46% Favor U.S. Airstrikes in Iraq to Fight al Qaeda

As the Obama administration deliberates on how to respond to the rapidly escalating insurgency in Iraq, several Republican lawmakers are calling for U.S. airstrikes. A plurality of U.S. voters support such airstrikes in Iraq, but most agree with the administration’s stance to not put U.S. boots on the ground.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the United States making military airstrikes in Iraq to help its government fight the al Qaeda-led insurgency. Thirty-two percent (32%) oppose such action. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on June 12-13, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.