Congress has long held the esteemed title of America’s least popular governing body. The last time the legislative branch boasted a positive approval rating was in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Will they ever achieve positive approval again from the public? I don’t see it happening anytime soon, but they may have a chance at a measure of redemption thanks to Donald Trump.
Seriously. A recent Gallup poll conducted Feb. 3-16 revealed something surprising: Congress’s approval rating rose from a dismal 17% on Jan. 17 to a relatively more respectable 29%. That’s an astounding 70% increase.
Could it be that Trump's influence is finally affecting the lawmakers in D.C.?
In fairness, new presidents tend to boost the favorability of Congress, a trend notably observed during the tenures of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Does this mean we can expect Congress to ride Trump’s coattails?
Let’s look at some historical context.
The recent rise in congressional approval is largely driven by a 42-point surge among Republicans, which makes sense as the GOP controls the House, Senate, and the presidency. 53% of Republicans approve of Congress, compared to 26% of independents (up 9 points) and just 5% of Democrats (down 18 points).
According to Gallup, the last time Republican approval was higher was in August 2005 (57%), when they also controlled both chambers. During the 2017-2019 GOP-controlled government, approval peaked at 50% among Republicans but averaged 29% overall.
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Similarly, when Democrats controlled Congress and the presidency (2021-2023), their approval hit 61% in 2021 and averaged 40%. Under Democratic control from 2009 to 2011, Congress's approval peaked at 63% in May 2009, with a 40% average for that session.
Republicans’ widespread approval of Trump’s overall job performance and his handling of immigration, foreign affairs, foreign trade, the economy, and the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East is not enough to earn him majority-level ratings among all Americans. This is because independents’ approval of the president is weak, and Democrats’ is nearly nonexistent.
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Republicans are also pushing overall approval of Congress to its highest point in more than two years, as they seek to enact Trump’s policy agenda. However, history has shown that partisans’ approval tends to fade somewhat after an initial honeymoon period.
For Congress to see its approval rating improve more, they’re going to have be effective. Voters need to see regular progress, and that may be tough considering the GOP’s slim majorities in the House and Senate.
So, will Trump make Congress great again? That remains to be seen. For now, as his influence looms large, lawmakers are feeling the heat — not just from their constituents but from a passionate base demanding action. As we keep a watchful eye on D.C., only time will tell if Congress can rise from the ashes of its own unpopularity.
The American people deserve a Congress that works for them, and with Trump steering the ship, perhaps there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Hopefully, Congress will take the hint.
