Current Events

New High: 52% Are Pro-Choice

More voters than ever are now pro-choice when it comes to abortion, but just as many view it as morally wrong in most situations.

Overall, 52% of Likely U.S. Voters consider themselves pro-choice when it comes to abortion, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-one percent (41%) say they are pro-life. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 31-August 1, 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.

45% Say Medicare is a Good Deal for Working Americans

Fewer voters now feel that Medicare is a good deal for working Americans today, and most are still not confident that they will receive all their promised benefits.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters say Medicare is a good deal for working Americans today, down from an all-time high of 49% in June. Thirty percent (30%) say it is not a good deal, but another 24% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 25-26, 2012 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.

Most Voters Have Not Felt Personal Impact of Health Care Law

As the presidential election moves into full swing, most voters haven’t been personally impacted yet by the incumbent’s most significant legislative achievement.

Just 15% have been personally helped by passage of the health care law while 25% say they’ve been hurt by it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows 57% have not felt any impact yet. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 25-26, 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.

66% Say Colorado Shooter Suspect Should Get Death Penalty

In the wake of the Aurora, Colorado shootings, more Americans than ever support the death penalty, and most feel this punishment is appropriate for the suspected killer if he's convicted. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults now favor the death penalty, while just 25% oppose it.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 24-25, 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.

62% Think Health Law Likely to Cause Some Companies to Drop Employee Coverage

A sizable majority of voters continues to believe that some companies will drop health insurance coverage for their employees because of President Obama’s health care law. But there’s a noticeable partisan difference of opinion over whether that’s a good or bad thing.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is at least somewhat likely that the law will cause some companies to drop their employee coverage. Just 27% feel that’s unlikely. These findings include 40% who believe it is Very Likely versus only seven percent (7%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on July 25-26, 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.

51% Say U.S. Should Help Israel If It Attacks Iran

Tensions between Israel and Iran are rising again following a terrorist attack against Israeli civilians in Bulgaria, and most Americans think there’s a good chance of a war between the two in the near future. Most also think the United States should help Israel if it attacks Iran.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is at least somewhat likely that Israel will attack Iran in the next year while  just 23% see such an attack as unlikely. Those figures include 22% who think an Israeli attack is Very Likely and only two percent (2%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

41% Say U.S. Needs Stricter Gun Laws

Most Americans are following the news about the horrific movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado last week, but an overwhelming majority doubts that public places can ever be made completely safe from such violence. Support for stricter gun control laws remains basically unchanged.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just nine percent (9%) of American Adults believe public places can be made completely safe against violence like the incident in Colorado. Seventy-nine percent (79%) disagree and say they cannot be made safer. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 20-21, 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.

Most Still Not Confident Social Security Will Pay All Promised Benefits

Voters continue to lack faith in the Social Security system and do not believe they will see all they've been promised.

Just 40% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat confident that Social Security will pay them all their promised benefits in their lifetime, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Fifty-six percent (56%) don't share that confidence.  These findings include only 14% who are Very Confident that Social Security will pay them all their benefits and 27% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 5-6, 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.

60% Say Border Control Should Be Top Immigration Priority

Most voters continue to favor a welcoming immigration policy that focuses on gaining control of the border.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely Voters agree that the goal of immigration policy should be to keep out only national security threats, criminals and those who come to the United States to live off its welfare system. Twenty-five percent (25%) disagree.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 25-26, 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.

New Low: 46% Think U.S. Economy Can Recover If Europe Remains Troubled

Fewer Americans than ever are confident that the U.S. economy can recover as long as Europe's fiscal problems continue.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults still have faith that the U.S. economy can recover even if the European economy remains troubled. Thirty percent (30%) do not believe the U.S. economy can recover as long as the European economic crisis continues. Twenty-five percent (25%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on June 22-23, 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.

60% Favor Building Keystone Pipeline

Completion of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas remains on hold, but most voters continue to support the building of the pipeline and believe it will be good for the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor building the Keystone XL pipeline, including 33% who Strongly Favor it. Just 22% oppose construction of the pipeline, with eight percent (8%) who are Strongly Opposed. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here).

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 25-26, 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

Health Care Law Has Already Lost in Court of Public Opinion

A week after President Obama’s health care law was passed, 54% of voters nationwide wanted to see the law repealed.  Now, as the Supreme Court is set to issue a ruling on the law’s constitutionality, the numbers are unchanged: 54% want to see the law repealed.

In polls conducted weekly or biweekly for over two years since the law's passage in March 2010, the numbers have barely moved. In fact, for more than a year before the law was passed, a similar majority opposed its passage.

The dynamics have remained the same throughout as well. Most Democrats oppose repeal, while most Republicans and unaffiliated voters support it. Older voters, those who use the health care system more than anyone else, favor repeal more than younger voters. The number who Strongly Favor repeal has remained over 40%, while the number Strongly Opposing has remained in the 20-something percent range.

Most voters have consistently expressed the view that the law will hurt the quality of care, drive up costs and increase the federal deficit. They also don’t like the government ordering people to buy health insurance and don’t think the Constitution permits that anyway.

This strong and consistent opposition led Scott Rasmussen to conclude in a recent syndicated newspaper column that the “health care law is doomed regardless of what the court decides.”

Arizona Voters Blame Government, Employers for Illegal Immigration

Arizona is at the forefront of the national debate over stopping illegal immigration, but voters in the state are more likely to blame those who encourage the immigrants than those who come here illegally.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Arizona finds that 42% are angry about current immigration policy, and another 33% are mildly frustrated by it. Only 23% consider immigration policy just one of many issues they have an opinion on. (To see survey question wording, click here.)\

This Arizona survey of 500 Likely Voters was conducted on June 26, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

58% Think Federal Government Encourages Illegal Immigration

Most voters continue to believe the federal government encourages rather than discourages illegal immigration.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters think the policies and practices of the federal government encourage illegal immigration. Just 24% disagree, while 18% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 25-26, 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.

77% Oppose More U.S. Help to Bail Out Europe

Americans agree Europe’s economic problems are worsening but feel more strongly than ever that the United States should do nothing more to help its longtime allies recover. 

Just six percent (6%) of American Adults believe the economic situation in Europe is getting better. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% think the continent’s economic woes are getting worse, while 16% say they are staying about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on June 22-23, 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.

55% Want U.S. Supreme Court to Uphold Arizona Immigration Law

Most voters still want an immigration law like Arizona’s in their own state and hope the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the legality of the Arizona law this week.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters would like to see the Supreme Court uphold the law that Arizona adopted to reduce illegal immigration in the state. Just 26% would like to see the high court overturn the law. Nineteen percent (19%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 21-22, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points ith a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

71% Favor Work Permits for Young Illegal Immigrants in Certain Circumstances

Most voters don’t think the government is aggressive enough in deporting illegal immigrants but agree with President Obama’s decision to allow young people brought here illegally who meet certain criteria to avoid deportation.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters think the federal government is not making enough effort to identify and deport illegal immigrants. Only 16% feel the government is doing too much to deport illegals, while 25% say the current amount of effort is about right. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 17-18, 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.

52% Want U.S. Supreme Court to Overturn Obama’s Health Care Law

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end of this month on the constitutionality of President Obama’s health care law, and most voters hope the law is overturned.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters would like to see the Supreme Court overturn the health care law. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and want to see the high court uphold the law’s legality instead. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 15-16, 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.

49% View United Nations Unfavorably

Voters are a little less enthusiastic about the United Nations these days.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters now view the international organization at least somewhat favorably. However, slightly more (49%) share at least a somewhat unfavorable opinion of it. This includes 10% with a Very Favorable view and 24% with a Very Unfavorable one. Another 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 1-2, 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.

49% Say Medicare Is a Good Deal for Working Americans

More voters than ever feel Medicare is beneficial to working Americans, but most still lack confidence that the government-run health insurance program will make good on all its promised benefits. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters think Medicare is a good deal for working Americans today. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree, and 23% more are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 3-4, 2012 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.