A significant number of American voters are expressing satisfaction with the performance of Republican lawmakers. A recent poll by NPR/PBS News/Marist indicates that 36% of registered voters approve of the job Republicans are doing in Congress, marking the highest approval rate since polling began in 2011.
This approval level reflects a considerable increase of 10 percentage points from February 2024, when only 26% of registered voters approved of Republican efforts. Historically, approval ratings have fluctuated, with the last notable approval being 28% in March 2021 and slightly higher at 29% in January 2019.
The question has been posed regularly from 2011 to 2018, and the previous peak was noted in March 2015. Conversely, the lowest approval point was just a few months later, in August 2015, when only 19% expressed approval.
This surge in GOP approval aligns with the party regaining control of both Houses of Congress.
In stark contrast, Congressional Democrats have seen their approval ratings plummet in the latest surveys. Just 27% of registered voters approve of their performance, a sharp drop of 12 percentage points since February 2024, where 39% had a favorable view. The peak for Democrats was 41% in March 2021.
Currently, this latest approval rating is the lowest for Congressional Democrats since polling began in 2011 and marks the first time Republicans have outperformed Democrats in approval ratings.
Internal party dynamics seem to be at play for Democrats, as just 44% of their own members approve of their work in Congress, while 43% disapprove.
On the other hand, Republican respondents show stronger support, with 73% approving of the GOP’s performance in Congress and only 15% expressing disapproval.
For independents, 25% approve of Congressional Republicans, while 20% approve of the Democrats’ work.
The survey was conducted from June 23 to 25, involving 1,381 adults and carrying a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points, with 1,206 registered voters and an error margin of 3.1 percentage points.
