Americans Say U.S. Congress Is Worst Ever: Poll

Washington (United States) (AFP) – Two thirds of Americans say the current Congress is the worst ever, while three quarters slammed the “do-nothing” legislature, a CNN/ORC International poll found Thursday.

The negative attitudes were expressed toward leading lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, 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.”

According to the survey, 73 percent of Americans said Congress has so far done nothing to address the country’s problems, with one in four disagreeing.

The poll, conducted by telephone December 16-19 with 1,035 adults across the nation, has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

AFP Photo/Mark Wilson