Current Events

58% Favor Building the Keystone XL Oil Pipeline

The U.S. State Department is expected to give the Keystone XL pipeline the go-ahead later this year after reviewing environmental concerns. Most voters continue to support constructing the oil pipeline from western Canada to Texas, and they are more confident this can be done without hurting the environment.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters favor building the pipeline, while 26% are opposed. This includes 34% who Strongly Favor the pipeline and 12% who Strongly Oppose it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 26-27, 2013 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.

55% Want Government to Deport Those Who Overstay Their Visas

An estimated 40% to 45% of the 11 million illegal immigrants now in the United States are people who entered the country on legal visas and then stayed on after those visas expired. Most voters think the government should send those people home, but the Political Class disagrees.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the federal government should find these illegal immigrants and make them go home. Only 22% oppose such a policy, while just as many (23%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 20-21, 2013 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.

61% Favor Immigration Reform With English As Official Language

There is broad support in America for comprehensive immigration reform, but the devil is in the details.

This reality is highlighted by comparing two different proposals for comprehensive reform. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters support a proposal for securing the border and legalizing the status of illegal immigrants already in the country. Twenty-six percent (26%) are opposed.

However, the numbers shift when provisions are added to punish employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and to make English the official language. Overall, support for the more comprehensive plan increases two points to 61%, while opposition declines three points to 23%. (See wording for both questions.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 20-21, 2013 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.

To Become U.S. Citizen, 54% Say Drop Previous Citizenship

Border security and a path to citizenship are the most talked about issues when it comes to immigration reform, but another part of the debate involves multiple citizenships. Thirty-four percent (34%) of Likely U.S. Voters say that if someone wants to become an American citizen, he or she should be allowed to remain a citizen of another country at the same time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 54% of voters don’t think potential U.S. citizens should be allowed to maintain dual citizenship. Another 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 20-21, 2013 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.

73% Think States Should Set Guest Worker Limits

Senators hoping to reach bipartisan agreement on comprehensive immigration reform legislation have found a new snag—the provisions for allowing guest workers into the United States.

Seventy-percent (70%) of Likely U.S. Voters support a guest worker program that would allow workers to stay in the United States temporarily if they have a job. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% are opposed. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 20-21, 2013 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.

52% Think U.S. Should Have Stayed Out of Iraq

Ten years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, voters tend to think both the United States and Iraq are better off because of the war, but just over half still don’t believe America should ever have been involved there.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of Likely U.S. Voters think, looking back, that the United States should have gotten involved with Iraq. Fifty-two percent (52%) disagree and oppose that involvement. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 22-23, 2013 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% Believe Legal Immigration Is Good for America

The United States is a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. Not surprisingly, voters continue to respect both traditions and strongly agree that legal immigration is good for America. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Likely U.S. Voters think immigration when done within the law is good for America, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Only 19% disagree and feel legal immigration is bad for the country. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.

64% of Immigration Reform Supporters Put Border Control First

Most voters like finding a way for illegal immigrants to stay in this country but not until the border is secured. However, they remain skeptical about the federal government’s interest in securing the border.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a plan that would legalize the status of those here illegally if they have otherwise obeyed the law – provided the border is really secured to prevent future illegal immigration. Twenty-six percent (26%) oppose this comprehensive immigration reform plan even with the promise of tougher border control. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 20-21, 2013 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% Oppose Single-Payer Health Care System

Nearly half of voters nationwide continue to oppose a health care system in which the government provides coverage for everyone, but there is predictable partisan disagreement.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely Voters favor a single-payer health care system, while 46% oppose such a system.  Another 16% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 16-17, 2012 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.

9% Think North Korean Nuclear Attack on U.S. Very Likely

Most voters think a North Korean nuclear strike on the United States is unlikely, and less than half favor the use of U.S. military force to stop North Korea from using nuclear weapons. But they do support helping South Korea if its neighbor to the north attacks.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s at least somewhat likely that North Korea will use a nuclear weapon to attack the United States, but 55% view such an attack as unlikely. This includes only nine percent (9%) who say it’s Very Likely and 13% who regard it as 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 March 10-11, 2013 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.

36% Think Radiation From Japanese Nuclear Disaster Hurt the U.S.

It’s been two years since an earthquake and tsunami triggered an explosion at Japan’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, and more than a third of Americans think radiation from that accident is likely to have done significant harm to the United States. Still, most Americans believe nuclear power plants at home are safe.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of American Adults believe it is at least somewhat likely that radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plant did significant harm to the United States. However, that includes just nine percent (9%) who think that scenario is Very Likely. Fifty percent (50%) of adults say it’s not likely the radiation did any harm, including 17% who say it’s Not At All Likely. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on March 9-10, 2013 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.

35% Support U.S. Aid For Syrian Rebels

Secretary of State John Kerry announced last week that the United States will provide financial and humanitarian aid to Syrian rebels battling to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Voter support for this aid is mixed, and most continue to think the United States should leave the Syrian crisis alone.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters favor giving U.S. financial and humanitarian aid to forces attempting to overthrow the Syrian government. Forty-two percent (42%) oppose this aid, while another 24% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 28 – March 1, 2013 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.

52% Want More Gun Control Laws; 10% Favor Handgun Ban

Just over half of voters think the country needs more gun control, but most feel safer living in a neighborhood where someone can own a gun for their own protection.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States needs stricter gun control laws. Forty-two percent (42%) disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 26-27, 2013 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.

50% Think Medicare Costs Can Be Cut Without Hurting Quality of Care

Voters are less certain that Medicare costs can be reduced without hurting the quality of care, but most are not confident that they will get their full promised benefits anyway. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is possible to reduce the cost of Medicare without hurting the quality of health care for senior citizens. Twenty-four percent (24%) disagree, while just as many (26%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 20-21, 2013 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.

27% Say Calling Someone 'Illegal Immigrant' is Offensive

Most voters think legal immigration is good for America but don’t think it’s offensive to regard those who come here illegally as “illegal" immigrants.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 67% of Likely U.S. Voters believe, when done within the law, immigration is good for America. Just 18% think legal immigration is bad for the United States, while another 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 18-19, 2013 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% Think Citizenship for Illegal Immigrants Will Encourage More to Come

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told Congress last week that the U.S.-Mexico border is more secure than ever and that immigration reform legislation should focus its attention elsewhere. But most voters think more border security is needed, and half believe offering citizenship to illegal immigrants already here will just encourage more to come.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of Likely U.S. Voters agree with Napolitano that the U.S. border is now more secure than it has ever been. Forty-seven percent (47%) disagree with her assessment, while 28% 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 February 18-19 2013 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.

22% See More Gun Control As Best Curb to Mass Murders

Support for banning semi-automatic and assault-type weapons has changed little, but Americans feel more strongly than ever that treating mental illness will do more than stricter gun control laws to help prevent incidents like the Connecticut school shooting. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 55% think there should be a ban on the purchase of semi-automatic and assault-type weapons, showing no change from late December. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 7-8, 2013 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.

59% Still Think Tougher Gun Control Laws Likely

Most Americans continue to believe that Congress and the president are likely to pass tougher gun control laws, and nearly half think the Obama administration has done a good job responding to the December elementary school shooting in Connecticut.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Americans still feel the United States needs stricter gun control laws. Forty-five percent (45%) disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 7-8, 2013 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.

59% Have Favorable Opinion of Social Security

Most voters still have a favorable opinion of Social Security but lack confidence that the government program will pay them their full benefits.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely Voters have at least a somewhat favorable impression of Social Security.  Thirty-four percent (34%) have an unfavorable opinion of the government retirement program.  These figures include 26% with a Very Favorable view and 11% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 31-February 1, 2013 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 Blame Humans More Than Sun for Global Warming

A recent United Nations report acknowledges that solar activity may have a bigger impact on climate change than previously thought. Most voters agree that activity on the Sun is likely to have an impact on the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere, but even more think human activity is a likely factor.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 60% of Likely Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that the level of activity on the Sun – including solar flares and sun spots – has an impact on the long-term heating and cooling of the Earth’s atmosphere. Only slightly more (66%) think it's likely human activity has a similar long-term impact.

But while these findings include 30% who feel solar activity is Very Likely to have an impact on the atmosphere's temperature, 41% think human activity is Very Likely to be a factor.

Twenty-one percent (21%) of voters believe activity on the Sun is not likely to have an impact on the long-term heating and cooling of the Earth's atmosphere, with five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Twenty-six percent (26%) don’t see human activity as a likely factor, including nine percent (9%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided about solar activity, compared to seven percent (7%) when it comes to human activity. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on February 4-5, 2013 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.