Current Events

80% Oppose U.N. Control of the Internet

Russia, China and several Arab countries are pushing for international control of the Internet through the United Nations, but U.S. voters overwhelmingly oppose the idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of Likely U.S. Voters think an agency of the United Nations should be given the authority to regulate the Internet. Eighty percent (80%) oppose U.N. control of the international computer communications network. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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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.

55% Favor Welcoming Immigration Policy

Most voters continue to support a welcoming immigration policy but still feel the focus of immigration reform should be on gaining control of the border. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. 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-nine percent (29%) disagree, while 16% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 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.

58% Concerned Efforts To Identify Illegal Immigrants Will Violate Civil Rights

While voters remain concerned that efforts to deport illegal immigrants will inadvertently lead to civil rights violations, a majority still disagrees with granting automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants born in the United States. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat concerned that efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants will also end up violating the civil rights of some U.S. citizens, including 24% who are Very Concerned.  Thirty-eight percent (38%) are not concerned a citizens' rights will be violated in this process, with 10% who are Not At All Concerned.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 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.

51% Oppose Forcing Religious Organizations To Provide Birth Control

A number of Catholic organizations including the University of Notre Dame have filed lawsuits challenging the mandate in President Obama’s health care law that they provide birth control to their employees in violation of Catholic religious beliefs. While most voters oppose this mandate, they also think it’s unlikely these Catholic institutions ultimately will shut down rather than implement the health care law.

62% Predict 'Arab Spring' Nations Will Not Soon Become Free and Democratic

New governments are being established as a result of last year’s so-called “Arab Spring" revolt, but most Americans don’t expect them to become peaceful and democratic any time soon.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters believes it’s at least somewhat likely that countries such as Egypt, Libya and Tunisia will become free, democratic and peaceful over the next few years.  That includes only three percent (3%) who say it’s Very Likely. Sixty-two percent (62%) think such a transformation is unlikely, with 16% who say it’s Not At All Likely to occur.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 10-11, 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.

Majority of Americans Have Unfavorable Views of Greece, France

Following their historical elections and amidst ongoing economic struggles, many Americans do not have a favorable opinion of Greece or France.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults have at least a somewhat favorable view of France, including just eight percent (8%) with a very favorable view of the nation. Fifty-six percent (56%) hold an unfavorable view of France, including 23% who view the country Very Unfavorably. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on May 7-8, 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.

82% Favor Creation of Stand-Alone Social Security Trust Fund

Voters continue to believe overwhelmingly that the federal government should restore the Social Security trust fund as it was originally intended and leave it alone.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of Likely U.S. Voters think the government would provide more security for retirees by making sure the trust fund is protected and adequately funded. Just five percent (5%) say it would be better to get rid of the trust fund and have the federal government pay all promised benefits to retirees out of the annual operating budget. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 4-5, 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 Favor Afghanistan Withdrawal by 2014 But Fear U.S. Will Stay Too Long

Most voters favor President Obama’s plan to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Afghanistan by 2014 but worry that the United States will not withdraw from its longest-running war quickly enough. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters support the president’s plan for withdrawal by 2014 with some troops left behind for training purposes and to help protect the democratically elected government of Afghanistan. Thirty-one percent (31%) oppose the plan the president announced in Afghanistan this week, while 13% are not sure about it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on May 2-3, 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.

56% See No Major Long-Term Environmental Damage from 2010 Gulf Oil Spill

It’s been two years now since the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, and most voters now believe there will be little, if any, long-term environmental damage from the disaster.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 10% of Likely U.S. Voters still believe there will be devastating long-term environmental impact from the oil spill, while 29% more predict that the impact will be major. But 56% don’t see the long-term impact as nearly that severe, including 33% who say the environmental impact will be modest, 15% who think it will be minor and eight percent (8%) who believe there will be no lasting impact. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on April 30-May 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.

Only 11% Think War on Terror Is Over

Voters overwhelmingly reject the idea that the war on terror is over one year after the death of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, although most feel his al Qaeda terrorist group is weaker today. But a majority also still thinks a terrorist attack is possible in the next year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 11% of Likely U.S. Voters think the war on terror is over. Seventy-nine percent (79%) say that war, declared after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America, is not over. Another 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted April 26-27, 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.

41% Think Medicare is a Good Deal for Working Americans

Voters continue to have mixed feelings about Medicare, and most still aren't confident they'll get the benefits they're entitled to.

Forty-one percent (41%) of Likely U.S. Voters consider Medicare a good deal for working Americans, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree, but one-in-four (26%) are not sure. These findings are unchanged from last month. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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% Say Focus of Immigration Policy Should Be Border Control

Even as the U.S. Supreme Court debates the legality of Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigrants, most voters continue to support a welcoming immigration policy, but they also still feel immigration policy should focus first on border control.

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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.

59% Favor Automatic Immigration Checks During All Traffic Stops

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday on the controversial immigration law first passed in Arizona two years ago, and a majority of voters nationwide still agree with one of the law’s chief provisions. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 59% believe police should automatically check the immigration status of individuals they pull over for a traffic violation. One-in-three (32%) opposes such a rule. (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 April 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.

New Low: 47% View Abortion As Morally Wrong Most of the Time

Roughly half of the nation’s voters remain pro-choice when it comes to abortion, and the number of voters who view the procedure as morally wrong in most situations is below 50% for the first time.

Overall, 51% of Likely U.S. Voters consider themselves pro-choice when it comes to abortion, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty percent (40%) say they are pro-life, while another 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording.  click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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.

39% Say Community Watch Officers Should Be Allowed To Carry A Gun

Comedian Bill Cosby said recently that the Trayvon Martin case raised serious questions about community watch volunteers being allowed to carry guns. "We've got to get the gun out of the hands of people who are supposed to be on neighborhood watch,” Cosby said.  "Without a gun, I don't see [George] Zimmerman approaching Trayvon by himself." Americans have mixed feelings about Cosby's analysis. 

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of American Adults think volunteer community watch officers should be allowed to carry guns, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-six percent (46%) disagree and think these volunteers should not be armed. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 11-12, 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 Favor Stricter Regulation of Coal Plant Emissions But Recognize Energy Will Cost More

The Obama administration has proposed tighter restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions which critics believe will discourage construction of new coal power plants.  Several states that rely heavily on the coal industry are challenging the new rules, but a majority of voters nationwide favor them. Most recognize, however, that the new rules will drive up energy costs.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters shows that 53% favor new environmental regulations that place stricter limits on carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants. Twenty-nine percent (29%) oppose the new regulations, and 18% are not sure about them. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 14-15, 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.

39% Think Media Has Done Poor Job Covering Trayvon Martin Death

The media has been criticized for its sensationalist coverage of the shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, magnifying the racial aspect of the story. NBC-TV has even had to fire a producer who edited a tape for broadcast that incorrectly made shooter George Zimmernan sound like he was singling out Martin because he was black. Americans overall give mixed reviews to the media coverage of the Martin case, but there is a wide racial difference of opinion.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults rate the media's handling of the Martin death and its aftermath as good or excellent.  Thirty-nine percent (39%) think the media has done a poor job in this case.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 11-12, 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.

44% Think EPA Actions Hurt The Economy

Voters tend to think the actions of the Environmental Protection Agency are bad for the economy and hold decidedly mixed feelings about one of its guiding policies, the federal Endangered Species Act.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters believe, generally speaking, that the EPA’s regulations and actions hurt the economy. Just 17% disagree and think those policies help the economy. Twenty-one percent (21%) say they have no economic impact, but another 17% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 8-9, 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.

36% Say Better to Invest in Fossil Fuels Than in Alternative Energy

Americans recognize more strongly than ever that there is a conflict between economic growth and environmental protection. Support for investing in fossil fuels like oil and gas is also at a new high amidst near-record gas prices and the ongoing political debate over development of the Keystone XL pipeline which President Obama has blocked for environmental reasons.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely Voters think there’s a conflict between economic growth and environment protection. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree, while 17% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 4-5, 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.

54% Expect U.S. Supreme Court To Overturn Health Care Law

Most voters continue to believe the federal government does not have the authority to force people to buy health insurance, and they expect the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn President Obama’s health care law that includes that mandate.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters would like to see the Supreme Court overturn the health care law, and 54% predict that that’s what the court will do.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) would like to see the high court uphold the legality of the law, but just 26% think that’s what the court will ultimately decide. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided about the law, and 21% aren’t sure what the Supreme Court will do about it. (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 March 27-28, 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.