Who would have guessed? Incessant gridlock and partisan bickering: the two top reasons Americans disapprove of Congress

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Poll: Disapproval of Congress at historic high
By Dan Merica, November 12, 2013

If you thought American's approval of Congress had hit rock bottom weeks ago, you were wrong.

According to a Gallup poll released on Tuesday, only 9% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing. It's the lowest congressional approval rating in the 39 years Gallup has asked the question.

"The government shutdown in October clearly didn't help Congress' image, and it appears that the impact of that incident may linger, given the record-low approval this month," Gallup CEO Frank Newport wrote. "This no doubt reflects the rancorous partisanship and bickering that characterized the shutdown - the top reasons given by those who disapprove of Congress."

Earlier this year, Americans indicated the two top reasons they disapproved of Congress was the incessant gridlock and partisan bickering, as well as the fact that the legislative body is "not getting anything done" and "not making decisions."

Although Congress' approval rating hit a new low on Tuesday, the fall was not that great.

Congressional approval has recently fluctuated from 13% in 2011 to 21% at the end of 2012, and then down to 11% just a few weeks ago.

The previous low for congressional approval, according to Gallup, was 10%–a number registered twice in 2012.

And despite the fact that last year's average 15% approval rating for Congress was the lowest yearly average Gallup has recorded, the polling agency said Tuesday that 2013 will likely break new ground – with an average 14% approval rating for Congress.

That would be the lowest yearly average Gallup has recorded.

"Having a divided Congress - with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats controlling the Senate - means there are complaints among partisans on both sides, reflected in similarly low congressional approval ratings among Republicans and Democrats," Newport wrote.

Disdain for Washington is also bipartisan. Republicans give Congress a 9% approval rating, compared to 8% among independents and 10% among Democrats.

Gallup conducted its 1,039-person telephone poll from November 7-10. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.
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