A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 12% of American voters say it’s Very Likely Congress will take steps to help the economy in 2008. Another 38% say it is Somewhat Likely that the Honorables will do something good for the economy. However, roughly the same numbers say that Congress will take action to harm the economy this year--14% say that’s Very Likely and another 33% say it’s Somewhat Likely.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) of Democrats say Congress is at least somewhat likely to help the economy while 59% of Republicans say it’s likely that the legislators will harm it. Among voters not affiliated with either major political party, 39% say that Congress is likely to help while 48% expect the opposite.

On the hot button topic of immigration, voters have made it clear that securing the borders is the top priority. So, naturally, voters expect Congress is more likely to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants than to stop the flow of illegal immigration.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of all voters say it’s at least somewhat likely that Congress will grant amnesty to those here illegally. Just 34% say it’s even somewhat likely that Congress will act to reduce illegal immigration. Public skepticism of official Washington remains high on this topic even though the Senate eventually surrendered public opinion on immigration last summer. The issue of immigration is a higher priority for Republicans than Democrats. So is the level of skepticism. Most Republicans say it’s at least somewhat likely that Congress will grant amnesty to illegal immigrants this year.

A separate survey found that just 13% of voters say that Congress is doing a good or an excellent job. Despite the low ratings, Democrats continue to enjoy a lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot as we head into Election 2008.

On other topics, just 28% say it’s even Somewhat Likely that Congress will act to bring troops home from Iraq this year but 47% expect the legislature to take steps that help the environment.

Twelve percent (12%) of voters say it’s at least somewhat likely that Congress will impeach either President Bush or Vice-President Cheney.

Thirty-three percent (33%) say the legislators will improve health care but just 18% have any hope that Congress will take steps to reduce corruption in government.

Only 12% believe Congress should spend time on the steroids issue engulfing Major League Baseball. Seventy-five percent (75%) don’t believe that effort is a good use of Congressional time.

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