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     Budget, Taxes, Economic Policy


 

See also:  Business | Economic outlook | Obama's ratings on the economy, deficit, etc.

 

CBS News Poll. March 20-24, 2013. N=1,181 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"What effect do you think reducing the federal budget deficit would have on the nation's economy? Would it make it better, worse, have no effect, or don't you know enough to say?"

 
    Better Worse No effect Don't know
enough
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/20-24/13

42 6 9 39 4
             

"In your opinion, does the federal budget deficit affect your own family's financial situation, or not?"

 
    It does It does not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/20-24/13

61 36 2    
             

"Overall, what do you think is the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit -- by cutting federal spending, by increasing taxes, or by a combination of both?"

 
    Cutting
spending
Increasing
taxes
Combination
of both
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/20-24/13

34 2 58 6  
 

3/1-3/13

35 5 56 5  
 

2/6-10/13

32 3 59 5  
 

1/11-15/13

33 3 61 3  
             

"I'm going to read you some suggestions that have been made to reduce the size of the federal budget deficit. Please tell me whether you would favor or oppose each of the following.

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose reducing defense spending?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/20-24/13

38 58 3    
 

12/12-16/12

42 54 4    
             

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose reducing spending on Social Security?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/20-24/13

18 79 2    
             

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose reducing spending on Medicare, the government health insurance program for seniors?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/20-24/13

18 80 2    
             

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose reducing some government programs and services that benefit people like you?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/20-24/13

47 45 8    
 

1/11-15/13

56 37 8    
 

12/12-16/12

45 48 7    
             

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose increasing the capital gains tax rate on income from investments?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/20-24/13

52 36 11    
             

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose personally paying more in taxes?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/20-24/13

31 66 3    
 

12/12-16/12

29 68 3    
             

"As you may know, automatic spending cuts to military and domestic programs are in effect because President Obama and Republicans in Congress could not agree on a plan to reduce the federal budget deficit. These automatic spending cuts are commonly referred to as the Sequester. Who do you blame more for the failure to reach an agreement and avoid the automatic spending cuts known as the Sequester: the Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress?"

 
    Republicans
in Congress
Obama and
Democrats
Both (vol.) Neither
(vol.)
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/20-24/13

39 35 19 1 6
             

"Over the long run, do you think the spending cuts in the Sequester will be good for the country, because it forces the government to cut spending; bad for the country, because it forces cuts to important programs and services, or it will have no real impact on the country?"

 
    Good for
the country
Bad for
the country
No real
impact
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/20-24/13

28 41 23 9  
 

3/1-3/13

34 46 12 8  

 

Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). March 17-19, 2013. N=1,002 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Which one of the following should be the higher priority for the President and Congress right now: increasing government spending to create jobs, or cutting government spending to reduce the budget deficit." If both: "Well, if you had to pick . . . ."

 
    Increasing
government
spending
Cutting
government
spending
Both (vol.) Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/17-19/13

38 54 5 3  
             

"Which one of the following best describes the national debt? An immediate problem. A problem that can be handled several years down the road. Not a problem at all."

 
    Immediate
problem
A problem
handled down
the road
Not a
problem
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/17-19/13

68 27 4 1  
             

"Do you think reducing the federal budget deficit is a worthy goal in and of itself, or not?"

 
    A worthy
goal
Not a
worthy goal
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/17-19/13

85 11 4    
             

"Automatic across-the-board budget cuts took effect on March 1, after the President and Congress failed to reach an agreement on the budget. In general, do you think these cuts in government spending are a good thing or a bad thing?"

 
    A good thing A bad thing Mixed (vol.) Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/17-19/13

49 37 8 6  
             

"In the current budget debate, who do you agree with most when it comes to handling the budget deficit: Republicans in Congress or President Obama?"

 
    Republicans
in Congress
President
Obama
Both (vol.) Neither
(vol.)
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/17-19/13

41 44 1 9 5

 

CNN/ORC Poll. March 15-17, 2013. N=1,021 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Now here are some questions about the current debate concerning the federal government's budget and fiscal policies, including spending, taxes, the federal deficit, and the amount of money the government borrows.

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Barack Obama is currently handling the federal budget and the way the government raises and spends money?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/15-17/13

31 67 2    
             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way that the Republicans in Congress are currently handling the federal budget and the way the government raises and spends money?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/15-17/13

19 79 2    
             

"And if you had to choose, whose approach toward those issues do you prefer: the Republicans in Congress, or Barack Obama?"

 
    Republicans
in Congress
Obama Neither
(vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/15-17/13

46 47 6 1  
             

"As you may know, Congress and the President agreed to a set of automatic forced spending cuts -- sometimes known as 'the sequester' -- that took effect on March 1. Have those forced spending cuts affected the nation's economy a great deal, some, not much, or not at all?"

 
    A great deal Some Not much Not at all Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/15-17/13

21 39 21 15 4
             

"Have those forced spending cuts affected your personal financial situation a great deal, some, not much, or not at all?"

 
    A great deal Some Not much Not at all Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/15-17/13

11 24 21 43 1
             

"As you may know, on a regular basis, Congress must pass bills that authorize the federal government to spend money for a certain amount of time. When that time expires, the government must shut down until Congress passes a new spending bill.

"Suppose the federal government had to shut down for a few days because Congress did not pass a new spending bill. Would you consider that a good thing for the country or a bad thing for the country?"

 
    Good thing Bad thing Neutral/
Mixed (vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/15-17/13

34 64 2 1  
 

9/23-25/11

25 72 2 1  
 

3/11-13/11

36 59 4 2  
             

"Now suppose the federal government had to shut down for a few weeks because Congress did not pass a new spending bill. Would you consider that a good thing for the country or a bad thing for the country?"

 
    Good thing Bad thing Neutral/
Mixed (vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/15-17/13

21 78 1 -  
 

3/11-13/11

24 73 1 2  
             

"If the federal government shuts down, do you think that Barack Obama or the Republicans in Congress would be more responsible for that?"

 
    Obama Republicans
in Congress
Both (vol.) Neither
(vol.)
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/15-17/13

38 40 19 2 1
 

9/23-25/11

33 47 17 1 2
 

3/11-13/11

37 46 14 1 2

 

Pew Research Center. March 13-17, 2013. Adults nationwide.

             

"What is more important: taking steps to reduce the national debt or keeping Social Security and Medicare benefits as they are?" N=749 (Form 1), margin of error ± 4.2

 
    Reducing the
national debt
Keeping
benefits
as they are
Both
equally (vol.)
Unsure/
Refused
 
    % % % %  
 

3/13-17/13

36 53 8 3  
             

"What is more important: taking steps to reduce the budget deficit or keeping Social Security and Medicare benefits as they are?" N=752 (Form 2), margin of error ± 4.2

 
    Reducing the budget deficit Keeping
benefits
as they are
Both
equally (vol.)
Unsure/
Refused
 
    % % % %  
 

3/13-17/13

32 57 8 3  
 

8/16-19/12

33 51 11 5  
 

9/22 - 10/4/11

35 58 2 4  
 

6/15-19/11

32 60 4 5  
 

2/95

24 70 2 4  

 

Gallup Poll. March 11-12, 2013. N=1,022 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"As you may know, automatic cuts in the federal budget -- known as sequestration -- went into effect on March 1. All in all, do you think the sequestration is a good thing or a bad thing for the country, or don't you know enough to say?"

 
    Good thing Bad thing Don't know
enough
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/11-12/13

17 27 55 1  
 

3/2-3/13

18 30 51 1  
             

"All in all, do you think the sequestration is a good thing or a bad thing for you personally, or don't you know enough to say?"

 
    Good thing Bad thing Don't know
enough
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/11-12/13

14 24 60 2  
 

3/2-3/13

17 26 55 2  

 

Gallup Poll. March 4-5, 2013. N=1,023 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a federal government program that would spend government money to put people to work on urgent infrastructure repairs?"

 
    Vote for Vote against Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/4-5/13

72 23 5    
             

"Would you vote for or against a federal law that would spend government money for a program designed to help create more than 1 million jobs?"

 
    Vote for Vote against Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/4-5/13

72 24 3    
             

"Would you vote for or against a law that would spend government money to establish federal and state programs making high-quality preschools available to every child in America?"

 
    Vote for Vote against Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/4-5/13

69 28 3    

 

Gallup Poll. March 2-3, 2013. N=1,028 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would lower tax rates for businesses and manufacturers that create jobs in the United States?"

 
    Vote for Vote against Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/2-3/13

79 16 5    
             

"Would you vote for or against a federal government program that would put people to work on urgent infrastructure repairs?"

 
    Vote for Vote against Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/2-3/13

77 19 4    
             

"Would you vote for or against a federal jobs creation law designed to create more than 1 million new jobs?"

 
    Vote for Vote against Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/2-3/13

75 21 4    
             

"Would you vote for or against a law establishing federal and state programs that would make high-quality preschools available to every child in America?"

 
    Vote for Vote against Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/2-3/13

73 24 3    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Feb. 27-March 3, 2013. N=1,017 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"Overall, do you support or oppose a five percent across-the-board cut in overall federal spending this year?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

2/27 - 3/3/13

61 33 6    
             

"Overall, do you support or oppose an eight percent across-the-board cut in U.S. military spending this year?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

2/27 - 3/3/13

34 60 6    

 

CBS News Poll. March 1-3, 2013. N=861 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"In the current discussions over tax increases and spending cuts, which do you think Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress should do: compromise some of their positions in order to come to an agreement, or stick to their positions even if it means not coming to an agreement?" 12/12: "In the current negotiations...."

 
    Compromise Stick to
their positions
Depends
(vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/1-3/13

78 15 1 6  
 

12/12-16/12

78 16 1 4  
             

"In the current discussions over tax increases and spending cuts, which do you think the Republicans in Congress should do: compromise some of their positions in order to come to an agreement, or stick to their positions even if it means not coming to an agreement?" 12/12: "In the current negotiations...."

 
    Compromise Stick to
their positions
Depends
(vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/1-3/13

73 21 0 6  
 

12/12-16/12

81 13 1 5  
             

"As you may know, automatic spending cuts to military and domestic programs were scheduled to go into effect on March 1st because President Obama and Republicans in Congress could not agree on a plan to reduce the federal budget deficit. These automatic spending cuts are commonly referred to as the Sequester. How closely have you been following news about these automatic spending cuts? Would you say you have followed this very closely, somewhat closely, or not too closely?"

 
    Very
closely
Somewhat
closely
Not too
closely
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/1-3/13

28 43 28 1  
             

"Who do you blame more for the failure to reach an agreement by March 1st and avoid the automatic spending cuts known as the Sequester: the Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress?"

 
    Republicans
in Congress
Obama and
Democrats
Both (vol.) Neither
(vol.)
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/1-3/13

38 33 19 2 8
             

"Which comes closest to your view about the Sequester? (1) We should cut spending with the Sequester, even if that means cuts to important programs. (2) We should cut spending, but should find a different way to do it without the Sequester. OR, (3) We shouldn't cut spending right now."

 
    Cut with
Sequester
Cut without
Sequester
Shouldn't
cut spending
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/1-3/13

18 63 13 6  
             

"Do you think you will be personally affected by the spending cuts in the Sequester, or not?"

 
    Will Will not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/1-3/13

53 39 7    

 

Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). Feb. 25-27, 2013. N=1,010 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"As you may know, unless the president and Congress reach an agreement on the budget by March 1, some 85 billion dollars in automatic across-the-board budget cuts will start taking effect on government programs this year, including military programs. How much have you heard about these automatic spending cuts, known in Washington as 'the sequester': [see below]?"

 
    A lot Some, but
not a lot
Not much Nothing
at all
 
    % % % %  
 

2/25-27/13

46 31 15 7  
             

"Which of the following comes closer to your view? Lawmakers know how to get the deficit under control and will be able to reach an agreement to make that happen. The only way to get the deficit under control is through actions like the automatic spending cuts because Congress can't do it otherwise."

 
    Lawmakers
will make
it happen
Actions like
automatic spending cuts
are necessary
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

2/25-27/13

29 57 14    
             

"In January, the president and Congress reached a budget agreement that raised tax rates on wealthy Americans and postponed making cuts to government spending. This time, would you prefer the budget deal reduces the deficit by focusing only on cutting government spending; mostly on cutting spending, and a small number of tax increases; on an equal mix of spending cuts and tax increases; only on adding further tax increases?"

 
        %    
 

Only spending cuts

33    
 

Mostly spending cuts, small number of tax increases

19    
 

Equal mix of spending cuts and tax increases

36    
 

Only on adding further tax increases

7    
 

Unsure

5    
             

"Some people say if the automatic spending cuts happen that the consequences would be devastating, including cutbacks in funding for emergency responders and the downgrading of the country's military. Others point out that the 85 billion dollars in cuts would be a small reduction -- only about two and a half percent of the government's projected spending this year -- and could be good for the economy in the long-term. What about you? What do you think the effect of automatic spending cuts would be: [see below]?"

 
      %      
 

Extremely negative

15      
 

Somewhat negative

30      
 

No real difference either way

22      
 

Somewhat positive

21      
 

Extremely positive

6      
 

Unsure

7      

 

Pew Research Center/Washington Post. Feb. 21-24, 2013. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.7.

             

"How well do you feel you understand what would happen if automatic federal spending cuts take place next week: very well, fairly well, not too well, or not at all well?"

 
    Very well Fairly well Not too
well
Not at
all well
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

2/21-24/13

18 35 25 21 1
             

"If automatic federal spending cuts take place, do you think they would have a major effect, a minor effect, or no effect on [see below]? How about on [see below]?"

 
    Major
effect
Minor
effect
No effect Unsure/
Refused
 
    % % % %  
 

"The U.S. economy"

 

2/21-24/13

60 25 5 11  
             
 

"Your own personal financial situation"

 

2/21-24/13

30 40 19 11  
             
 

"The federal budget deficit"

 

2/21-24/13

45 31 12 12  
             
 

"The U.S. military"

 

2/21-24/13

55 25 10 11  
             

"If an agreement to prevent automatic federal spending cuts is not reached before next week's deadline, who do you think would be more to blame: Republicans in Congress or President Obama?" Options rotated
2/13-18/13: "If a deficit reduction agreement is not reached before the deadline, who do you think would be more to blame: Republicans in Congress or President Obama?"

 
    Republicans
in Congress
President
Obama
Both
equally (vol.)
Neither
(vol.)
Unsure/
Refused
    % % % % %
 

2/21-24/13

45 32 13 1 10
 

2/13-18/13

49 31 11 1 7

 

Bloomberg National Poll conducted by Selzer & Company. Feb. 15-18, 2013. N=1,003 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1.

             

"I'm going to mention some aspects of the national economic situation. For each, please tell me if you expect things to be better in the next 12 months, worse, or about the same as the last 12 months. The size of the national debt."

 
    Better Worse About
the same
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

2/15-18/13

16 56 25 3  
             

"Let's turn to the federal budget deficit. This is the amount the government spends that is more than the amount it takes in from taxes and other revenue. Is it your sense that this year the deficit is getting bigger or getting smaller, or is it staying about the same as last year?"

 
    Getting
bigger
Getting
smaller
Staying about
the same
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

2/15-18/13

62 6 28 4  
             

"Which of the following approaches is more likely to be successful in growing the U.S. economy and creating jobs? Spending cuts and tax cuts will give businesses more confidence to hire. Government spending in infrastructure, education, and alternative energy will create jobs." Options rotated

 
    Spending cuts,
tax cuts
Government
spending
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

2/15-18/13

44 49 7    
             

"I'm going to mention some areas of government spending. For each, please tell me your sense of how big a part of the federal budget it is -- at least 20% of the budget, less than 20% but more than 2%, or 2% or less. . . ."

 
    At least 20% Less than 20%,
more than 2%
2% or less Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

"Education"

 

2/15-18/13

28 48 17 7  
             
 

"Defense"

 

2/15-18/13

60 23 7 10  
             
 

"Medicare and Medicaid"

 

2/15-18/13

50 31 10 9  
             
 

"Social Security"

 

2/15-18/13

43 36 11 10  
             
 

"Foreign aid"

 

2/15-18/13

31 34 22 13  
             
 

"The social safety net, including food stamps and unemployment payments to those who lost their jobs"

 

2/15-18/13

39 40 12 9  
 

"There has been ongoing debate on raising the debt ceiling, which allows the U.S. government to borrow money to pay for spending already approved by Congress. Which better reflects your view of how the U.S. debt ceiling should be viewed by Congress? The full faith and credit of the U.S. should be protected at any cost; the debt ceiling should be raised when necessary, with no conditions. It is necessary to limit the amount the U.S. can borrow because Congress lacks discipline on spending, so it is right to require spending cuts when the debt ceiling is raised." Options rotated

 
    Raise with
no conditions
Require
spending cuts
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

2/15-18/13

21 71 8    
             

"Thinking about the budget deficit overall, do you think the better way to reduce it is to focus exclusively on cutting spending, or do you think the better way is to cut spending combined with increasing revenue by raising taxes on companies and high-income earners?"

 
    Just cut
spending
Cut spending
& raise taxes
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

2/15-18/13

35 59 6    
             

"Which do you think is the better course for Congress to take: act now to make steep cuts to reduce the deficit before it gets out of control, or delay steep cuts to give the economy a chance to continue recovering which would help reduce the deficit?"

 
    Steep cuts
now
Delay
steep cuts
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

2/15-18/13

40 54 6    
             

"If Congress and the president cannot agree on a budget, one possibility is that the federal government would shut down all non-critical services. Do you think a shutdown should be avoided or would it not be all that harmful?"

 
    Should be
avoided
Would not
be all that
harmful
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

2/15-18/13

64 28 8    

 

Pew Research Center. Feb. 13-18, 2013. N=1,504 adults nationwide.

             

"If you were making up the budget for the federal government this year, would you increase spending, decrease spending or keep spending the same for [see below]? What about for [see below]?" Each item asked of half the sample.

 
    Increase Decrease Keep the
same
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 
 

"Health care"

 

2/13-18/13

38 22 34 6  
 

2/2-7/11

41 24 30 5  
 

6/18-21/09

61 10 24 6  
 
 

"Energy"

 

2/13-18/13

36 21 38 5  
 

2/2-7/11

36 23 37 4  
 

6/18-21/09

41 15 35 9  
 
 

"Anti-terrorism defenses in the U.S."

 

2/13-18/13

32 19 45 3  
 

2/2-7/11

33 21 43 4  
 

6/18-21/09

35 17 41 7  
 
 

"Veterans benefits and services"

 

2/13-18/13

53 6 38 3  
 

2/2-7/11

51 6 40 3  
 

6/18-21/09

63 2 29 6  
 
 

"Natural disaster relief programs"

 

2/13-18/13

34 12 50 5  
 
 

"The State Department and American embassies"

 

2/13-18/13

14 34 46 6  
 

6/18-21/09

9 28 50 12  
 
 

"Social Security"

 

2/13-18/13

41 10 46 3  
 

2/2-7/11

41 12 43 3  
 
 

"Rebuilding highways, bridges and roads"

 

2/13-18/13

38 17 43 2  
 

2/2-7/11

38 21 37 3  
 
 

"Economic assistance to needy people in the U.S."

 

2/13-18/13

27 24 44 4  
 

2/2-7/11

42 20 34 3  
 
 

"Scientific research"

 

2/13-18/13

37 20 40 3  
 

2/2-7/11

36 23 37 4  
 

6/18-21/09

39 14 40 7  
 
 

"Military defense"

 

2/13-18/13

32 24 41 3  
 

2/2-7/11

31 30 36 3  
 

6/18-21/09

40 18 37 5  
 
 

"Government assistance for the unemployed"

 

2/13-18/13

24 32 41 3  
 

2/2-7/11

27 28 41 4  
 

6/18-21/09

44 15 36 6  
 
 

"Agriculture"

 

2/13-18/13

34 20 42 4  
 

2/2-7/11

32 23 39 5  
 

6/18-21/09

35 12 41 13  
 
 

"Medicare"

 

2/13-18/13

36 15 46 3  
 

2/2-7/11

40 12 43 5  
 

6/18-21/09

53 6 37 4  
 
 

"Combating crime"

 

2/13-18/13

41 14 41 4  
 

2/2-7/11

39 18 40 3  
 

6/18-21/09

45 10 39 6  
 
 

"Environmental protection"

 

2/13-18/13

33 22 43 3  
 

2/2-7/11

36 26 36 3  
 

6/18-21/09

43 16 34 6  
 
 

"Economic assistance to needy people around the world"

 

2/13-18/13

21 48 28 3  
 

2/2-7/11

21 45 29 4  
 

6/18-21/09

26 34 33 7  
 
 

"Education"

 

2/13-18/13

60 10 29 2  
 

2/2-7/11

62 11 25 2  
 

6/18-21/09

67 6 23 4  
 
 

"Food and drug inspection"

 

2/13-18/13

33 14 50 2  

 

Pew Research Center/USA Today. Feb. 13-18, 2013. N=1,504 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 2.9.

             

"In your view, as Congress and the president discuss steps to reduce the budget deficit over the coming months, should they focus ONLY on spending cuts, ONLY on tax increases, or should they do a combination of both?"

 
    Only on
spending cuts
Only on
tax increases
Combination
of both
Unsure/
Refused
 
    % % % %  
 

2/13-18/13

19 3 76 2  
             

"How much, if anything, have you heard about major cuts in defense and domestic government spending that will automatically happen on March 1st unless the president and Congress reach an agreement on deficit reduction? Have you heard a lot, a little, or nothing at all?"

 
    A lot A little Nothing
at all
Unsure/
Refused
 
    % % % %  
 

2/13-18/13

27 43 29 1  
             

"If the president and Congress can't reach a deficit reduction agreement before the March 1st deadline, would it be better to delay the automatic spending cuts or would it be better to let the automatic spending cuts go into effect?" Options rotated

 
    Delay
the cuts
Let cuts go
into effect
Unsure/
Refused
   
    % % %    
 

2/13-18/13

49 40 11    

 

Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). Feb. 4-6, 2013. N=1,010 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Which of the following do you think would be more likely to help strengthen the nation's economy right now: increasing government spending, or cutting government spending?"

 
    Increasing
spending
Cutting
spending
Leave as is/
Neither (vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

2/4-6/13

15 73 7 5  

 

Quinnipiac University Poll. Jan. 30-Feb. 4, 2013. N=1,772 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 2.3.

             

"As you may know, unless Congress acts, about $1.2 trillion in defense and domestic spending would be cut from the federal budget on March 1st. Do you want these cuts to take effect or not, or don't you have an opinion on that?"

 
    Yes,
take effect
No, not
take effect
No opinion Refused  
    % % % %  
 

1/30 - 2/4/13

22 43 32 3  

 

University of Connecticut/Hartford Courant Poll. Jan. 22-28, 2013. N=1,002 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"As you may know, Congress is considering ways to reduce the federal deficit over the next decade. How do you think the federal government should reduce the deficit: with tax increases paid by every household in the U.S., with spending cuts, or with a combination of tax increases and spending cuts?"

 
    Tax
increases
Spending
cuts
Combination Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

1/22-28/13

3 40 49 7  

 

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. Jan. 10-14, 2013. N=1,004 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"As you may know, in the next few months the U.S. government must raise the federal debt limit in order to avoid defaulting on its debt. If the federal debt limit is NOT raised and the U.S. defaults on its debt, how likely is it that the U.S. would face a major economic crisis? Is that . . . ?"
6/11: "As you may know, by August the U.S. government must raise the federal debt limit in order to avoid defaulting on its debt. If the federal debt limit is NOT raised and the U.S. defaults on its debt, how likely is it that the U.S. would face a major economic crisis? Is that . . . ?"

 
    Extremely
likely
Very
likely
Somewhat
likely
Not too
likely
Not likely
at all
    % % % % %
 

1/10-14/13

26 27 27 9 8
 

6/16-20/11

30 23 29 10 6
             

"In general, do you support, oppose or neither support nor oppose raising the federal debt limit in order to avoid defaulting on U.S. government debts?"

 
    Support Oppose Neither Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

1/10-14/13

31 40 19 10  
 

6/16-20/11

38 41 18 3  
             

"Which comes closest to your view? Congress should increase the debt ceiling first to avoid a default on federal debt, and discuss spending cuts and deficit reduction separately. Congress should ONLY increase the debt ceiling if it makes significant spending cuts at the same time, even if that means there will be considerable reductions in government services and programs. OR, Congress should NOT increase the debt ceiling under any circumstances, even if that means the U.S. defaults on its debt." Options rotated

 
    Increase debt
ceiling, then
discuss cuts
Increase only
if makes cuts
at same time
Should not increase, even
if U.S. defaults
Unsure Refused
    % % % % %
 

1/10-14/13

30 39 21 9 2
 

6/16-20/11

34 43 18 4 1
             

"In order to balance the federal budget, which should be the main focus of lawmakers: increasing taxes or cutting government services?" Options rotated. 11/10: Co-sponsored by CNBC.

 
    Increasing
taxes
Cutting
services
Both
equally (vol.)
Neither
(vol.)
Unsure/
Refused
    % % % % %
 

1/10-14/13

30 49 11 6 4
 

11/29 - 12/3/12

30 46 13 8 5
 

2/16-20/12

31 56 5 5 3
 

12/8-12/11

31 60 4 3 2
 

10/13-17/11

34 55 4 4 4
 

8/18-22/11

34 53 6 6 2
 

3/24-28/11

29 62 4 3 1
 

11/18-22/10

30 59 4 5 3
             

"The following are ways that some people have proposed making cuts in government spending to reduce the federal budget deficit. For each one, please tell me if you favor, oppose or neither favor nor oppose it as a way of reducing the federal budget deficit. . . ."

 
    Favor Oppose Neither Unsure Refused
    % % % % %
 
 

"Reducing federal government spending on defense"

 

1/10-14/13

41 40 16 3 -
 

11/29 - 12/3/12

40 44 12 4 -
             
 

"Gradually raising the age at which people become eligible for Medicare benefits"

 

1/10-14/13

35 53 10 2 -
 

11/29 - 12/3/12

40 48 9 3 -
             
 

"Changing the way Social Security benefits are calculated so that annual increases are smaller"

 

1/10-14/13

30 49 16 5 1
 

11/29 - 12/3/12

30 49 15 6 -
             
 

"Raising Medicare premiums for high-income recipients"

 

1/10-14/13

60 25 12 3 -

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Jan. 10-13, 2013. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"If Congress does not raise its borrowing limit in February, the federal government will have to default on its loans and/or shut down some of its operations. Some people say the borrowing limit should be raised only if spending cuts also are put in place. Others say the two issues should be kept separate. Do you think raising the borrowing limit should be tied to spending cuts, or should these be kept as separate issues?"

 
    Tie borrowing
limit to
spending cuts
Keep as
separate
issues
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

1/10-13/13

36 58 6    

 

United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Jan. 10-13, 2013. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.7.

             

"As you may know, Congress recently voted to raise tax rates from 35 to 39.5 percent on income over $450,000 for families. Which of the following statements comes closest to your views? Congress should have raised taxes starting at families making over $250,000. OR, Congress was correct in raising taxes starting at families making over $450,000. OR, Congress should have raised taxes starting at families making over $1 million. OR, Congress should not have raised taxes at all."

 
    Should have
started at
$250K +
Correct in
starting at
$450 +
Should have
started at
$1 million +
Should not
have raised
taxes at all
Unsure/
Refused
    % % % % %
 

1/10-13/13

29 30 12 23 5
             

"As you may know, when taxes were raised it only covered a small portion of the projected deficit over the next 10 years. Some people say that any additional efforts to reduce the deficit should include a mixture of tax increases and spending cuts. Others say that there should only be spending cuts. Which comes closer to your views on deficit reduction?"

 
    Tax increases,
spending cuts
Spending
cuts only
Unsure/
Refused
   
    % % %    
 

1/10-13/13

48 49 4    

 

Pew Research Center. Jan. 3-6, 2013. N=1,003 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.7.

             

"As you may know, Congress and the president have passed new legislation on taxes. From what you've read and heard, do you strongly approve, approve, disapprove or strongly disapprove of this tax legislation?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure/
Refused
   
    % % %    
 

1/3-6/13

38 41 21    
             

"Thinking ahead, do you think this tax legislation will mostly help or hurt the condition of the U.S. economy?"

 
    Help Hurt Make no
difference
(vol.)
Unsure/
Refused
 
    % % % %  
 

1/3-6/13

36 46 3 15  
             

"Thinking ahead, do you think this tax legislation will mostly help or hurt people like yourself?"

 
    Help Hurt Make no
difference
(vol.)
Unsure/
Refused
 
    % % % %  
 

1/3-6/13

30 52 6 13  
             

"Thinking ahead, do you think this tax legislation will mostly help or hurt the federal budget deficit?"

 
    Help Hurt Make no
difference
(vol.)
Unsure/
Refused
 
    % % % %  
 

1/3-6/13

33 44 4 18  
             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama handled negotiations over the tax legislation?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure/
Refused
   
    % % %    
 

1/3-6/13

48 40 12    
             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Republican leaders in Congress handled negotiations over the tax legislation?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure/
Refused
   
    % % %    
 

1/3-6/13

19 66 15    
             

"And just your impression, who do you think got more of what they wanted from the tax legislation: Barack Obama or Republican leaders in Congress?" Options rotated

 
    Obama Republican
leaders
Both (vol.) Neither
(vol.)
Unsure/
Refused
    % % % % %
 

1/3-6/13

57 20 4 4 16

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Jan. 2-6, 2013. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the agreement reached by Congress and the Obama administration to avoid the 'fiscal cliff?'"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

1/2-6/13

45 38 17    
             

"Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama handled budget negotiations to avoid the 'fiscal cliff?'"
12/13-16/12: "Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling budget negotiations to avoid the so-called 'fiscal cliff?'"
12/5-9/12: "Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling budget negotiations to avoid the so-called 'fiscal cliff?'"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

1/2-6/13

52 37 11    
 

12/13-16/12

45 43 11    
 

12/5-9/12

49 42 10    
             

"Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way House Speaker John Boehner handled budget negotiations to avoid the 'fiscal cliff?'"
12/12: "Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way House Speaker John Boehner is handling budget negotiations to avoid the so-called 'fiscal cliff?'"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

1/2-6/13

31 51 18    
 

12/5-9/12

25 49 26    

 

Gallup Poll. Jan. 3, 2013. N=1,026 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"From what you know or have read, do you approve or disapprove of the agreement to avoid the 'fiscal cliff' tax increases and spending cuts in the federal budget?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

1/3/13

43 45 12    
             

"Based on what you have heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of the way each of the following handled the fiscal cliff budget negotiations? How about [see below]?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 
 

"President Barack Obama"

 

1/3/13

46 48 6    
             
 

"Vice President Joe Biden" N=494, margin of error ± 6

 

1/3/13

40 42 17    
             
 

"Democratic leaders in Congress" N=532, margin of error ± 6

 

1/3/13

34 55 11    
             
 

"Speaker of the House John Boehner" N=494, margin of error ± 6

 

1/3/13

31 50 18    
             
 

"Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell" N=494, margin of error ± 6

 

1/3/13

28 46 26    
             
 

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid" N=494, margin of error ± 6

 

1/3/13

27 48 25    
             
 

"Republican leaders in Congress" N=532, margin of error ± 6

 

1/3/13

25 67 8    

 

Gallup Poll. Dec. 21-22, 2012. N=1,076 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4. Interviews conducted as part of Gallup Daily tracking.

             

"How closely are you following the news about the ongoing 'fiscal cliff' federal budget negotiations in Washington: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?"

 
    Very
closely
Somewhat
closely
Not too
closely
Not at all Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/21-22/12

34 30 20 16 1
 

12/15-16/12

28 34 21 16 1
 

12/8-9/12

28 36 19 16 1
 

12/1-2/12

30 30 21 19 1
             

"Based on what you have heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of the way each of the following is handling the fiscal cliff budget negotiations? How about [see below]?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 
 

"President Barack Obama"

 

12/21-22/12

54 38 9    
 

12/15-16/12

48 43 9    
 

12/8-9/12

48 44 8    
 

12/1-2/12

52 43 6    
             
 

"Democratic leaders in Congress" N=526, margin of error ± 5

 

12/21-22/12

45 43 12    
 

12/15-16/12

34 56 10    
 

12/8-9/12

38 50 12    
 

12/1-2/12

39 49 11    
             
 

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid" N=550, margin of error ± 5

 

12/21-22/12

34 43 23    
 

12/15-16/12

24 48 29    
             
 

"Speaker of the House John Boehner" N=550, margin of error ± 5

 

12/21-22/12

26 54 19    
 

12/15-16/12

25 49 26    
             
 

"Republican leaders in Congress" N=526, margin of error ± 5

 

12/21-22/12

26 61 13    
 

12/15-16/12

29 61 10    
 

12/8-9/12

26 64 11    
 

12/1-2/12

27 63 10    
             

"What would you like to see government leaders in Washington do in the fiscal cliff negotiations: stick to their principles and beliefs on tax increases and spending cuts, even if no agreement is reached by the Jan. 1 deadline, OR, compromise on their principles and beliefs on tax increases and spending cuts in order to reach an agreement by the Jan. 1 deadline?" Options rotated

 
    Stick to
principles
Compromise Neither/
Other (vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

12/21-22/12

22 68 3 8  
 

12/15-16/12

24 66 3 7  
 

12/8-9/12

18 70 5 8  
 

12/1-2/12

25 62 4 8  
             

"Just your best guess, how likely is it that President Obama and the leaders in Congress will reach a solution that avoids the fiscal cliff measures before Jan. 1: very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?"

 
    Very
likely
Somewhat
likely
Not too
likely
Not at all
likely
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/21-22/12

14 36 30 18 2
 

12/15-16/12

18 39 22 18 3
 

12/8-9/12

18 41 21 17 3
 

12/1-2/12

14 44 25 14 3

 

CNN/ORC Poll. Dec. 17-18, 2012. N=620 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"As you may know, last year Congress and the President agreed to a program to reduce the federal deficit that some people call the 'fiscal cliff.' Unless Congress and the President reach an agreement within the next few weeks, tax rates will automatically rise in January for almost all Americans and major spending cuts will automatically occur next year in most government spending programs, including military programs.

"If those automatic tax increases and spending cuts occur next year, do you think that would cause a crisis, major problems, minor problems, or no problems at all for the United States?"

 
    A crisis Major
problems
Minor
problems
No
problems
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/17-18/12

20 50 24 4 2
 

11/16-18/12

24 44 24 7 1
             

"If Congress and the President do not reach an agreement by the end of the year and those automatic tax increases and spending cuts occur, do you think that Barack Obama or the Republicans in Congress would be more responsible for that?"

 
    Obama Republicans
in Congress
Both
(vol.)
Neither
(vol.)
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/17-18/12

37 48 11 2 1
 

11/16-18/12

34 45 15 1 4

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Dec. 13-16, 2012. N=1,002 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Obama is handling budget negotiations to avoid the so-called 'fiscal cliff?'"
12/5-9/12: "Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling budget negotiations to avoid the so-called 'fiscal cliff?'"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/13-16/12

45 43 11    
 

12/5-9/12

49 42 10    
             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republican leaders of Congress are handling budget negotiations to avoid the so-called 'fiscal cliff'?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/13-16/12

26 65 9    
             

"Overall, what do you think is the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit -- by cutting federal spending, by increasing taxes, or by a combination of both?"

 
    Cutting
spending
Increasing
taxes
Combination Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

12/13-16/12

29 4 65 2  
 

7/14-17/11

32 4 62 3  
 

6/2-5/11

37 4 57 2  
 

4/14-17/11

36 3 59 2  
 

3/10-13/11

31 3 64 3  
 

12/9-12/10

36 2 60 1  
             

"If deficit reduction comes both from cutting spending and from increasing taxes, should it be more from cutting spending, or more from increasing taxes, or should it be half from each?"

 
    Cutting
spending
Increasing
taxes
Half
from each
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

12/13-16/12

47 10 41 2  
 

6/2-5/11

52 8 39 2  
             

"In order to strike a budget deal that avoids the so-called fiscal cliff, would you accept cutting spending on Medicaid, which is the government health insurance program for the poor, or is this something you would find unacceptable?"

 
    Accept Unacceptable Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/13-16/12

28 68 3    
             

"In order to strike a budget deal that avoids the so-called fiscal cliff, would you accept cutting military spending, or is this something you would find unacceptable?"

 
    Accept Unacceptable Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/13-16/12

42 55 3    
             

"In order to strike a budget deal that avoids the so-called fiscal cliff, would you accept raising taxes on Americans with incomes over 250-thousand dollars a year, or is this something you would find unacceptable?"

 
    Accept Unacceptable Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/13-16/12

74 24 2    
             

"In order to strike a budget deal that avoids the so-called fiscal cliff, would you accept raising the age for Medicare coverage from 65 to 67, or is this something you would find unacceptable?"

 
    Accept Unacceptable Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/13-16/12

36 60 3    
             

"In order to strike a budget deal that avoids the so-called fiscal cliff, would you accept changing the way Social Security benefits are calculated so that benefits increase at a slower rate than they do now, or is this something you would find unacceptable?"

 
    Accept Unacceptable Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/13-16/12

34 60 7    
             

"In order to strike a budget deal that avoids the so-called fiscal cliff, would you accept capping the amount of money people can claim in tax deductions at no more than 50-thousand dollars a year, or is this something you would find unacceptable?"

 
    Accept Unacceptable Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/13-16/12

54 36 10    
             

"If a budget agreement is not reached, who do you think will be mainly to blame: the Republicans in Congress or Obama?" Options rotated

 
    Republicans
in Congress
Obama Both (vol.) Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

12/13-16/12

47 31 18 3  
             

"How concerned are you, if at all, about what may happen to the national economy if Obama and Congress cannot reach a budget agreement: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not concerned at all?"

 
    Very
concerned
Somewhat
concerned
Not too
concerned
Not concerned
at all
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/13-16/12

58 30 7 3 1
             

"How concerned are you, if at all, about what may happen to your personal finances if Obama and Congress cannot reach a budget agreement: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not concerned at all?"

 
    Very
concerned
Somewhat
concerned
Not too
concerned
Not concerned
at all
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/13-16/12

46 32 11 10 1
             

"How concerned are you, if at all, about what may happen to the government's ability to operate effectively if Obama and Congress cannot reach a budget agreement: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not concerned at all?"

 
    Very
concerned
Somewhat
concerned
Not too
concerned
Not concerned
at all
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/13-16/12

48 30 11 9 2
             

"How concerned are you, if at all, about what may happen to the U.S. military if Obama and Congress cannot reach a budget agreement: very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not concerned at all?"

 
    Very
concerned
Somewhat
concerned
Not too
concerned
Not concerned
at all
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/13-16/12

44 31 14 9 2
             

"Has the leadership of the Republican Party been too willing or not willing enough to compromise with Obama on the budget deficit?"

 
    Too willing Not willing
enough
About
right (vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

12/13-16/12

14 76 2 8  
 

7/14-17/11

14 77 3 6  
 

3/10-13/11

16 71 5 8  
             

"Has Obama been too willing or not willing enough to compromise with the leadership of the Republican Party on the budget deficit?"

 
    Too willing Not willing
enough
About
right (vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

12/13-16/12

28 57 5 10  
 

7/14-17/11

29 58 8 6  
 

3/10-13/11

30 52 10 8  

 

CBS News Poll. Dec. 12-16, 2012. N=1,179 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"As you may know, tax increases and automatic spending cuts will take effect in January unless the President and Congress reach an agreement before January 1st. This deadline is commonly referred to as the fiscal cliff. How closely have you been following news about the fiscal cliff budget negotiations? Would you say you have followed this very closely, somewhat closely, or not too closely?"

 
    Very
closely
Somewhat
closely
Not too
closely
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

12/12-16/12

30 39 30 1  
             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress are handling the current negotiations over tax increases and spending cuts?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/12-16/12

38 50 12    
             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Republicans in Congress are handling the current negotiations over tax increases and spending cuts?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/12-16/12

17 69 14    
             

"If an agreement is not reached before January 1st automatic tax increases and spending cuts will take effect. Do you think that would cause major economic problems for the country, minor economic problems, or no economic problems at all for the country?"

 
    Major
problems
Minor
problems
No
problems
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

12/12-16/12

53 38 4 5  
             

"Do you think Barack Obama and the Republicans in Congress probably will or probably will not reach an agreement on deficit reduction before the deadline at the end of the year?"

 
    Will Will not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/12-16/12

50 44 7    
             

"Which comes closest to your view about the tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003? The tax cuts should be continued for everyone. OR, The tax cuts should only continue for household incomes under $250,000 a year. OR, The tax cuts should expire for everyone."

 
    Continue for
everyone
Continue if
under $250K
Expire
for all
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

12/12-16/12

28 52 13 7  
 

10/25-28/12

35 42 15 8  
 

9/8-12/12

30 47 15 8  
             

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, which would you prefer? A plan that includes raising tax rates on household incomes over $250,000 a year, eliminating some tax deductions, and cutting some government spending. OR, A plan that does not raise tax rates on household incomes over $250,000 a year, but instead eliminates more tax deductions, and includes greater cuts to government spending."

 
    Raises rates
if over
$250K
Does not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/12-16/12

52 40 8    
             

"I'm going to read you some suggestions that have been made to reduce the size of the federal budget deficit. Please tell me whether you would favor or oppose each of the following.

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose reducing Social Security benefits for retirees with higher incomes?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/12-16/12

39 57 4    
             

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose raising the retirement age at which a person can start to collect full Medicare benefits?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/12-16/12

32 64 4    
             

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose eliminating the mortgage interest tax deduction for homeowners?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/12-16/12

30 62 8    
             

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose eliminating the tax deduction for charitable contributions?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/12-16/12

33 62 5    
             

"In order to reduce the budget deficit, would you favor or oppose raising the tax rate on household incomes that are over $250,000 a year?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/12-16/12

69 29 2    
 

Republicans

51 46 3    
 

Democrats

84 15 0    
 

Independents

66 30 4    
             

"Congress will soon decide whether or not to raise the federal debt ceiling, which is the legal limit on how much the federal government can borrow to pay for the budget deficit. Some people say the debt ceiling should be raised, because otherwise the country could default on its loans, causing severe problems for the U.S. economy. Other people say the debt ceiling should not be raised because the country owes too much money already, and raising it will cause long term economic problems. In general, do you think Congress should or should not raise the federal debt ceiling?"

 
    Should Should not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/12-16/12

25 68 7    

Budget, taxes, economic policy continued

 


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