Politics

Just 16% Think Most in Congress Pay All Their Taxes

Today’s the deadline for the vast majority of Americans to file their income taxes, but over half of voters don’t think most members of Congress pay their taxes in full like the rest of us.

Just 16% of Likely U.S. Voters, in fact, think most members of Congress pay all the taxes they owe. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% think most of those in Congress do not pay all their taxes. Another 32% 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 April 7-8, 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.

12% Expect Quicker Fixes to Health Care Law with Sebelius Gone

Most voters think Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is responsible for the problems with Obamacare so far and believe she was forced to resign for political reasons. But there’s very little expectation that problems with the law will be fixed more quickly by her successor.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe Sebelius is at least somewhat responsible for the problems with the rollout of the national health care law, but 27% disagree, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This includes 21% who say the former Kansas governor is Very Responsible for the problems with the law and just nine percent (9%) who say she is Not At All Responsible. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

72% Think It Would Be Better if Most in Congress Are Not Reelected

More voters than ever would rather scrap the current Congress than to see it reelected. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters think it would be better for the country if most incumbents were reelected this November. Seventy-two percent (72%) say it would be better if most of them were defeated instead. Nineteen percent (19%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, visit question wording for survey 1 and survey 2.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on April 9-10, 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.

19% Think Federal Government Has Consent of the Governed

Just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the federal government today has the consent of the governed, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

That’s down two points from January but still up slightly from the all-time low of 17% reached in August. This finding is generally in keeping with regular surveying for the past four years. Sixty-sixty percent (66%) do not believe the federal government has the consent of the governed today, while 16% are unsure. (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 April 9-10, 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.

59% of GOP Voters Say Republicans in Congress Out of Touch with Party’s Base

Most Republican voters continue to believe their congressional representatives are out of touch with the party's base, while most Democrats remain happy with the representation they have in Washington, D.C. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds just 29% of Likely Republican Voters think Republicans in Congress have done a good job representing GOP values over the past several years. Fifty-nine percent (59%) say Republicans in Congress have lost touch with GOP voters from throughout the nation. But that's down slightly from 65% last August and an all-time high of 73% in October 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on April 9-10, 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.

56% Say American Society is Fair and Decent

The number of American voters who believe U.S. society is fair and decent remains just above its recent low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters view American society that way. But that’s up only one point from January, which marked the lowest level of confidence since August 2012.  Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree and think society in this country is generally unfair and discriminatory. This figure has been trending downward from a five-year high of 32% last October. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on April 7-8, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

63% Think Members of Congress Are Overpaid

Retiring Virginia Congressman Jim Moran recently complained that members of Congress are underpaid. But most voters still think their legislators are overpaid instead, and the vast majority believes they should take pay cuts until the federal budget is balanced.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 63% of Likely Voters believe the current congressional salary of $174,000 a year is too much. Just four percent (4%) think that’s too little, while 30% say it’s about the right amount. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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 The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 7-8, 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. Seemethodology. 

31% Believe U.S. Has Crony Capitalist System

Many Americans remain unconvinced that the United States has a system of free market capitalism and continue to be wary of government involvement in the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of American Adults believe the United States has a system of free market capitalism, while just as many (31%) say it is a system of crony capitalism. Slightly more (37%) are not sure what kind of capitalist system America has. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 6-7, 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.

23% Rate Obamacare A Success; 62% Think GOP Repeal Likely

The Obama administration boasted last week that it had surpassed its March 31 goal of signing up seven million Americans through new health insurance exchanges. But few voters consider the new national health care law a success, and most think repeal of the law is likely if Republicans take over Congress in November.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of Likely U.S. Voters view Obamacare as a success so far. Twice as many (46%) describe the health care law as a failure. For 29%, it’s somewhere in between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

50% Are Less Likely To Vote for Another Bush in the White House

Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters said in a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey last month that they are less likely to vote for Jeb Bush for president in 2016 because his father and brother have already served in the White House.

Fourteen percent (14%) said the Bush family's presidential legacy makes them more likely to vote for the former Florida governor. Thirty-four percent (34%) say it would have no impact on their voting decision. (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 March 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.

54% Say Government Should Regulate Campaign Contributions

Voters by a two-to-one margin disagree with last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling and believe the government should control how much money people can contribute to political campaigns. But they also still think it’s a candidate’s views and not campaign contributions that provide the winning edge in an election.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the government should regulate how much money individuals can give to political campaigns. Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree, while 16% 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 3-4, 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.

60% Favor Plan to Offer Citizenship In Exchange for Military Service

House Republicans are proposing a plan that would allow young illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens by joining the military, and most voters favor such a plan.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the military should be allowed to offer U.S. citizenship to non-citizens who are willing to serve and do so honorably for at least five years. But support for that plan is down five points from 65% in early February. Twenty-five percent (25%) disagree, up from 19% in the previous survey. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure.  (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 April 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.

32% Favor Release of Israeli Spy Pollard to Help Peace Talks

The Obama administration is reportedly proposing to release Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard from prison if it will help keep U.S.-brokered Middle East peace talks alive, but just one-in-three U.S. voters like that idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the release of Pollard, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 after being convicted of spying on the United States for Israel. Slightly more (37%) oppose Pollard’s release to help advance peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. Another 32% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

47% in New Jersey Now Less Likely to Vote for Christie for President

The good news for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is that the first major probe of the so-called Bridgegate scandal has found him innocent of wrongdoing. The bad news is that New Jersey voters view him more unfavorably now than they did when the scandal first broke and are even less likely to vote for him as president.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely New Jersey Voters finds that 61% think it’s at least somewhat likely that Christie was aware at the time that traffic lanes onto the George Washington Bridge were being closed as retaliation against the mayor of Fort Lee for refusing to support Christie’s reelection. This includes 37% who say it is Very Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in New Jersey was conducted on March 31-April 1, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

24% Support Amnesty for Edward Snowden

More voters than ever believe it is good that the American people are aware of the National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance programs, but most still think the disclosures are hurting national security. One-in-four voters now supports amnesty for NSA leaker Edward Snowden in exchange for the information he still possesses.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that, regardless of what they think of Edward Snowden, 62% believe it is good for the nation that the American people know about the NSA’s surveillance programs. Sixteen percent (16%) say this increased awareness is bad for the country, while slightly more (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 March 30-31, 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.

65% Think IRS Should Stay Focused on Taxes, Not Obamacare

Voters continue to think the Internal Revenue Service is not aggressive enough in going after tax cheats and believe strongly than the agency should focus on tax collection rather than taking on its new task of enforcing Obamacare.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is a good use of IRS resources for the agency to police public compliance with the new national health care law. Sixty-five percent (65%) believe the IRS should remain focused on collecting taxes, up seven points from 58% in April of last year. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 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.

53% Oppose Stricter Gun Control Laws

Most voters oppose tougher gun control for the first time since the Connecticut elementary school shootings in December 2012.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 40% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the United States needs stricter gun control laws, down nine points from last May and the lowest level of support for stricter laws since February 2012. Fifty-three percent (53%) do not think the country needs tougher gun control laws, the highest level of opposition in over two years. (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 March 26-27, 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. 

Mississippi Senate: Cochran (R) 48%, Childers (D) 31%

Both Republican contenders have a solid lead over former Democratic Congressman Travis Childers in Rasmussen Reports' first look at the U.S. Senate race in Mississippi.

A new statewide telephone survey of Likely Mississippi voters finds longtime Senator Thad Cochran leading Childers by 17 points - 48% to 31%. Nine percent (9%) like some other candidate in the race, and 12% 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 survey of 750 Likely Voters in Mississippi was conducted on March 26-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

65% Favor Continued U.S. Involvement in NATO

President Obama was in Europe this week seeking support for stronger action against Russia in the wake of its annexation of Crimea. U.S. voters consider America's relationship with Europe to be highly important and feel more strongly than ever in the need for the United States to belong to the NATO alliance.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 92% of Likely U.S. Voters rate America's relationship with Europe as important, with 61% who say it is Very Important. Just four percent (4%) consider the relationship not very or Not At All Important. (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 March 26-27, 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% Support Religious Exemption from Obamacare’s Contraceptive Mandate

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday heard a case in which two businesses argued that for religious reasons they should not be required to provide health insurance with free contraceptives for their women employees. Half of voters agree with that position.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters believe a business should be allowed to opt out of providing coverage for contraceptives if it violates the religious beliefs of the business owner. Forty percent (40%) disagree and say the business should not be allowed to opt out of the requirement contained in the new national health care law. Ten percent (10%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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