IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Poll: Congress unpopular, but Democrats more liked than Republicans

Congress may be less popular than cockroaches and root canals, but new polling shows that  voters dislike Republicans significantly more than Democrats.
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio being greeted by colleagues on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday after surviving a roll call vote in the newly convened 113th Congress. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio being greeted by colleagues on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday after surviving a roll call vote in the newly...

Congress may be less popular than cockroaches and root canals, but new polling shows that  voters dislike Republicans significantly more than Democrats.

The entire body has a 7% approval rating since the fiscal cliff debacle that dragged out until the very last minute. Democrats in Congress emerged with a 38% approval rating while their Republican counterparts are approved by only 15% of voters. Even GOP voters don't like their GOP lawmakers in Washington, with 25% approving and 61% disapproving.

The approval ratings for various members of the Republican and Democratic leadership show a similar picture. In the House, John Boehner has a 21% approval and 60% disapproval rating while Nancy Pelosi enjoyed 35% approval and 55% disapproval. In the Senate, Harry Reid has a 30% approval rating and Mitch McConnell's is at 24%.

Even the Republican controlled House has a lower approval rating than the Democratically controlled Senate, with only 15% approval for the House compared to 28% for the Senate.

If the election were held today, Democrats could make gains in the House as well. When asked which generic candidate they would prefer, 47% of voters said a Democrat and only 41% said a Republican, while 13% were unsure.