Poll: US citizens slam ‘do-nothing’ congress
Nationwide survey shows most citizens say legislators and president have not done enough to address country’s problems.
According to a fresh poll conducted by CNN, the US-based news network, and the UK-based marketing research agency ORC International, about two-thirds of US citizens said the current US congress is the worst one in recent history.
The poll, conducted in mid-December with 1,035 adults across the nation, revealed that 73 percent of Americans said that the legislative branch has so far done nothing to address the country’s problems.
Criticisms were expressed toward leading lawmakers in both political parties, with 52 percent saying the policies of Democrats would move the country in the wrong direction, compared to 54 percent for Republican policies.
And 54 percent of respondents said the same thing about the policies of President Barack Obama, a Democrat.
The 113th Congress did pass a budget agreement before its holiday recess, but less than 60 bills have been signed into law during its first year.
And with a continued political stalemate likely in 2014, when mid-term elections will take place, the current Congress is poised to become one of the least productive in at least the past four decades, CNN noted.
A total of 68 percent of those questioned said the current congress was the worst in their lifetime, with only 28 percent disagreeing.
The negative outlook toward congress “exists among all demographic and political subgroups. Men, women, rich, poor, young, old – all think this year’s congress has been the worst they can remember,” CNN polling director Keating Holland said.
“Older Americans – who have lived through more congresses – hold more negative views of the 113th Congress than younger Americans. Republicans, Democrats and independents also agree that this has been the worst session of congress in their lifetimes.”