Low Ratings For Congress

CBS Poll: Only 29% Approve Of Job Congress Is Doing

(CBS) 
VIEWS OF THE PARTIES IN CONGRESS

Republicans
Favorable
41%
Unfavorable
48%

Democrats
Favorable
44%
Unfavorable
43%

VIEWS ON THE FILIBUSTER

Americans overwhelmingly say that in general, Congress should take as much time as it needs to review new judges, as opposed to confirming them as quickly as possible.

WHEN REVIEWING JUDGES, CONGRESS SHOULD …

Take as much time as it needs
70%
Review and confirm quickly as possible
25%

Nearly one-third of Americans feel President George W. Bush is having a harder time getting his judicial nominees through the confirmation process than previous presidents — but more feel his experience so far is similar to that of others.

IS BUSH HAVING … GETTING NOMINEES THROUGH

A harder time
30%
An easier time
16%
The same experience
42%

In terms of its impact on the legislature, Americans are split on whether the filibuster is generally a good or bad thing. Thirty-six percent call it a good thing because it lets the Democrats express their views; 33 percent say the procedure obstructs the will of the majority Republicans. Many have no opinion on the filibuster's impact.

THE FILIBUSTER IS …

Mostly good — gives Democrats a voice
36%
Mostly bad — blocks Republican proposals
33%
Don't know/No opinion
26%

When this question is asked without the names of the parties, the answers are much the same, as Americans split on the merits of the filibuster in principal, too: 34 percent say it is good because it gives voice to a minority party, 34 percent condemn it for obstructing a majority's proposals. More than one-quarter have no opinion.

Despite the attention given to the debate by both parties, the term 'filibuster' is hardly a household word in the U.S. In this poll CBS News asked Americans to describe in their own words what the term means. 46 percent could offer no description at all. Thirty-seven percent accurately defined it as involving an extended debate or as a procedural move to delay a vote.

In 1963, amidst the legislative battles that ultimately produced the Civil Rights Act, the Gallup poll asked Americans what the term filibuster meant, and 53 percent answered correctly under Gallup's criteria. Gallup also asked the question in 1949 and found slightly more than half answering correctly.

Senate procedures aside, the issue of federal judges is an important one to Americans. Seven in 10 see the matter as extremely or very important.

ISSUE OF FEDERAL COURT JUDGES IS …

Extremely important
28%
Very important
40%
Somewhat important
24%
Not at all important
7%

In this poll Americans were also asked their views of one of Congress' more prominent members, the House of Representatives' majority leader Tom DeLay of Texas. But three-fourths of Americans cannot offer an opinion on him. Six percent view him favorably and 18 percent unfavorably. Last month, 7 percent had a positive view of DeLay.

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This poll was conducted among a nationwide random sample of 938 adults, interviewed by telephone May 20-23, 2005. The error due to sampling could be plus or minus three percentage points for results based on all adults. Error for subgroups is higher. Error for questions asked of half-samples is plus or minus five points.

For detailed information on how CBS News conducts public opinion surveys, click here.