Few Americans approve of how Congress is handling executive oversight

Far more Americans disapprove than approve of the job handling of Democrats (56% vs. 28%) and Republicans (56% vs. 30%) in Congress, according to this week's Economist / YouGov Poll. Congressional leaders are also viewed negatively. The net favorability — the share who view very or somewhat favorably minus the share who view unfavorably — is negative for each of Chuck Schumer (-33), John Thune (-27), Hakeem Jeffries (-17), and Mike Johnson (-17).

Americans are divided on the question of what Congress should currently prioritize: 37% say it's most important for Congress to be passing laws addressing problems facing the country, 34% say Congress should be overseeing the executive branch and holding it accountable, and 29% say it should be controlling federal spending and eliminating waste. A majority (59%) of Democrats think Congress should prioritize overseeing the executive branch. Among Republicans, the largest share (47%) say Congress should focus on controlling federal spending; only 14% say it should prioritize oversight of the executive branch.

Overall, 56% of Americans strongly or somewhat disapprove of the job Congress is doing overseeing the executive branch and holding it accountable; 22% approve. Democrats disapprove by a margin of 75% to 15%. Republicans are split: 41% approve and 40% disapprove.

More Americans think a divided federal government is better than a united one: 38% say it's better when control of the presidency and Congress is split between Democrats and Republicans, twice as many as the 18% who say it's better when one party controls both branches.

Image: Getty (Anna Moneymaker / Staff)

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