What is the approval rating of the 119th Congress?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, your big brain, the information provided and any links below:
According to the visual above, what percent of the U.S. population approves of the current congress?
Americans’ approval of Congress has fallen to 10%, barely above its all-time low of 9%, while disapproval has climbed to 86%, tying the record high for the institution. Identify one trend from the graph above.
Congress consists of 435 House members and 100 Senators. You are represented by one House member and 2 Senators. Do you approve of the current congress?
When you answer the question of congressional approval, are you thinking about your congressional representatives or of Congress as a whole?
Three of the five peaks in disapproval since 1974 coincided with a government shutdown or the threat of one. These include the current Department of Homeland Security shutdown, now in its 10th week. Beyond the ongoing DHS funding impasse, congressional disapproval in Gallup's April 1-15 poll may reflect Republicans’ frustration over Congress not passing legislation, including the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which passed the House in 2025 and would require citizenship documentation to register to vote. Also, broader tensions over war powers related to the U.S. conflict with Iran, the effects of high gas prices, and ethics scandals involving two members of Congress that led to their resignations as the polling period was drawing to a close may be souring public opinion further. What do you think is the biggest reason for the current congressional disapproval level?
Congress’ approval ratings have been mostly underwater since 1974, averaging 28% approval and 65% disapproval. More recently, approval has remained below 30% for most of the past five years, with sustained stretches in the teens. Explain whether you think the lack of congressional approval means that the Framers made a mistake in how they created Congress and its powers.
President Trump currently has a 38% aggregate approval rating. Trump is historically unpopular, yet he is almost four times as popular as Congress. Explain why Trump is more popular than Congress.
Just this week, three members of congress had to resign - one for tax evasion and fraud, and two for sexual misconduct. How does political party affiliation (as shown below*) impact approval of Congress?
Some critics would argue that the deep disapproval of our three branches of government (SCOTUS has a 42% approval which is historically low) indicate that our democracy is in crisis. Is the data from the chart above and the general dislike of the branches of government a sign of a successful system of government?
Focusing on the most recent data, Americans’ approval of the Republican-led 119th Congress started at 17% in January 2025, climbed to 29% after President Donald Trump was inaugurated, and peaked at 31% in March 2025. Approval fell sharply during and after the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history that began on Oct. 1. Despite historical levels of hatred of the Congress, the Republican majority may still squeak out a majority in the fall midterm elections. How could it could be that a reviled congress is still possibly going to remain in power.
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Contact your member of Congress and tell them whether you approve of the work they are doing them and why.
Get Creative
Think about all the yucky things that are more popular than Congress. Even the IRS (yuck) is more popular than Congress. Make a list of five things you like less than Congress. Here is my list: getting a root canal, Russian President Vladimir Putin, going through TSA at the airport, paper cuts, Britney Spears.
Learning Extension*
Check out the latest Gallup Polling data on congressional approval. Caution: intended for mature audiences. Viewer discretion advised. Look through this list of members of the current 119th Congress. Now imagine you could ask any of them to go get a coffee. Who would you ask?
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