Congressional (dis)Approval 2021
Critical Analysis
What percent of the population approves of the current congress?
Identify one trend from the chart above.
Why do you think congressional approval is currently higher than at any time since 2009?
In 2009 the entire U.S. government was controlled by the Democrats: Democratic President, House, and Senate. Currently, the Democratic party controls the presidency and both chambers of congress. Explain the connection between congressional approval and party control of government.
President Biden currently has a 56% approval rating. Explain why Biden is almost twice as popular as Congress.
Is the data from the chart above a sign of a successful system of government?
Imagine you wanted to reconstruct a Congress (the rules of congress, the way we vote for congress, etc.) to ensure popularity and approval. Describe three ways to reengineer Congress to make it more popular.
Explain how the way we elect the House and Senate impacts congress (dis)approval.
Major legislation came out of the 2009 congress (Obamacare) and has already come out of the 2020 congress (Cares Act). Explain how passing major legislation impacts congressional approval.
Describe the relationship between political polarization and congressional (dis)approval.
Explain how the data from the chart above might impact the decision of a potential congressional candidate to enter politics.
Do you approve of the current congress? Look through this list of members of the current 117th Congress. Now imagine you could ask any of them to go get a coffee. Who would you ask?
Imagine you were the president. How would the recent trend of Congressional approval ratings impact your attempts to compromise or negotiate with Congress.
How does party affiliation impact attitudes about congressional approval?*
Visual Extension*
Learning Extension
Check out the latest Gallup Polling data on congressional approval. Caution: intended for mature audiences. Viewer discretion advised.
Action Extension
Contact your member of Congress and tell them whether you approve of the work they are doing them and why. Alma Adams (below) is my U.S. House Representative.