History shows that it is quite normal in the first few months for Congress to jump in it’s approval ratings when first beginning. The new Congress has seen a jump of nearly 17% in it’s first month, from 19% in January to 31% now.
While quite negative overall, this is the highest approval rating recent polling shows of Congress in nearly two years when it hit a high of 37% favorable.
By Party however the ratings show a different story. Democrats had an 18% approval rating in January of Congress, and now have a 43% favorable opinion of Congress. Independents jumped from 17% in January to 29% now, and Republicans dropped from 23% in January to just 19% now.
The largest surge in Congressional approval ratings historically came after the September 11th attacks on America when there was a + 42% increase in Congresses approval rating. Much of the jump now is likely due to President Obama’s stimulus package and the fact that Democrat voters and Independents have supported the package.
As history shows, these increases can be short lived. With so many important issues facing America, both domestic and foreign, it will be interesting to watch these numbers in the coming months.
