Poll Finds Low Approval for Congressional Democrats Amid Shutdown Threat

NPR reported on September 30, 2025, that a new poll shows Americans are more unhappy with Democrats than with Republicans in Congress as a potential government shutdown looms. The NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found that just 25% of Americans approve of the job being done by congressional Democrats, while 62% disapprove. In comparison, 35% of Americans approve of the job Republicans in Congress are doing. This dissatisfaction comes as a midnight deadline approaches for Congress to reach a spending deal to avert a shutdown.

pbs.org reported, The poll also found President Donald Trump's job approval rating at 41%, with 53% of Americans disapproving of his performance. Regarding a potential shutdown, the public is divided on the path forward, with 50% believing members of Congress should compromise to avoid it and 49% saying they should stand on principle even if it means a shutdown. When asked who would be to blame, a plurality of 38% of Americans said they would blame Republicans, while 27% would blame Democrats and 31% would blame both parties equally.