Listen to the article
Democratic Approval in Congress Hits Historic Low, New Poll Reveals
A new national poll has sent shockwaves through Democratic circles, revealing the party’s congressional approval ratings have plummeted to their lowest level in over a decade and a half. The Quinnipiac University survey, released Wednesday, shows just 18% of voters approve of how Democrats in Congress are handling their job, while a staggering 73% disapprove.
This marks the lowest approval rating for congressional Democrats since Quinnipiac began tracking this metric 16 years ago, adding to mounting evidence that the Democratic Party brand is struggling to connect with voters. The timing couldn’t be more concerning for party leadership as they attempt to rebuild and recapture congressional majorities in next year’s elections.
Perhaps most troubling for Democrats is the erosion of support within their own base. Only 43% of self-identified Democrats expressed approval for their party’s congressional performance, while 48% disapproved—a remarkable indicator of internal discord that threatens party unity heading into a crucial election cycle.
“A family squabble spills over into the holidays. Democratic voters want their party to hold the reins of the House but are not the least bit happy about what they are doing at the moment,” noted Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy.
The Democratic Party has been navigating difficult political terrain since last year’s electoral setbacks. Beyond losing control of both the White House and Senate while failing to recapture the House, Republicans made significant inroads among traditionally Democratic-leaning demographics, including Black, Hispanic, and younger voters—crucial segments of the Democratic coalition.
Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, Democratic base voters have increasingly called for more forceful opposition to his administration’s agenda. Much of the grassroots frustration appears directed not just at Republicans but at Democratic lawmakers perceived as insufficiently vocal in challenging Trump’s controversial policies.
Despite these concerning numbers, the poll did offer Democrats one glimmer of hope: 47% of voters indicated they would prefer to see Democrats win control of the House in next year’s midterms, compared to 43% who favor continued Republican control.
The poll also revealed that while Democrats are struggling, Republicans aren’t particularly popular either. Only 35% of respondents approved of congressional Republicans’ performance, with 58% disapproving. The key difference lies in party unity—77% of Republican voters expressed approval for their party’s congressional performance, with just 18% disapproving, suggesting a much more unified base heading into the election cycle.
Democrats have found recent cause for optimism, however. The party performed strongly in last month’s 2025 elections and outperformed expectations in several special elections throughout the year, suggesting their message might be gaining traction despite the poor overall approval numbers.
President Trump’s own approval rating stands at 40% according to the poll, with 54% disapproving of his performance—a metric that could provide Democrats with campaign ammunition despite their own internal challenges.
The Quinnipiac poll, conducted December 11-15, comes at a critical juncture as both parties begin positioning for next year’s congressional battles. For Democrats, these numbers underscore the urgent need to solidify their message and address internal divisions before facing voters.
Political analysts suggest Democrats must find a way to translate voter preference for Democratic control into actual support for their congressional leadership—a challenge that will require both clearer messaging and more effective opposition to the Trump agenda if they hope to rebuild their standing with an increasingly skeptical electorate.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
10 Comments
This poll reflects the broader challenges facing the Democratic party. Voters want results, not just rhetoric. Party leadership will need to find ways to bridge divides and deliver tangible policy wins if they hope to regain ground.
Well said. Restoring public trust in Congress is crucial for Democrats. They’ll need to demonstrate an ability to compromise and get things done, rather than just dig in along partisan lines.
This poll underscores the challenges facing the Democratic party as they seek to maintain control of Congress in 2024. They’ll need to do a better job of connecting with voters and delivering tangible results if they hope to reverse this trend.
Absolutely. The Democratic leadership will need to carefully analyze these findings and chart a new strategic course. Reconnecting with their base and appealing to independents and moderates will be crucial.
Not surprising to see Democrats’ approval ratings in Congress drop. Voters seem increasingly frustrated with partisan gridlock and lack of progress on key issues. Will be interesting to see how this dynamic plays out in the 2024 elections.
Agreed. Congressional approval ratings are a useful barometer of public sentiment. These numbers suggest Democrats have work to do in reconnecting with their base and building a compelling legislative agenda.
Interesting to see such a dramatic drop in approval for congressional Democrats. I wonder what specific issues or dynamics are driving this decline. Voters seem hungry for a new direction and effective leadership in Washington.
You raise a good point. The poll doesn’t delve into the underlying causes, but dissatisfaction with the pace of progress on key priorities like the economy, healthcare, and climate change could all be contributing factors.
Low congressional approval ratings are never good news, especially for the party in power. Democrats will need to carefully consider how to respond to this poll and regain the trust of the American people. Effective policymaking and bipartisan compromise could be a path forward.
Well said. Ultimately, voters want to see their elected officials working together to address the country’s pressing challenges. Divisive rhetoric and partisan gridlock will only further erode public confidence in Congress.