Voters feel far more strongly than they have in over two years that legislation currently being debated in Congress would have a significant impact on their lives, and they’re well aware of which party is in charge.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of voters believe that to be true of legislation now before Congress. That’s up from 52% in June 2008.. The perception that what Congress is doing will have a significant impact is even higher today than the 65% level measured in January 2007 when Democrats first re-gained control of Congress.

This comes at a time when two-thirds of voters say health care reform is likely to pass but most voters oppose the legislation. It’s important to note that the question does not specify what legislation is currently being debated by Congress.

Republicans and voters not affiliated with either major party are more concerned about what Congress is up to than Democrats. This is consistent with a wide range of other polling showing that Republicans are more enthusiastic than Democrats about the upcoming midterm elections.

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Eighty-six percent (86%) of all voters say that, in terms of its impact on their own lives, it is important whether Republicans or Democrats control Congress.

That figure includes 57% who say it is very important which party is in control. Once again, the data shows Republicans have a greater interest in the outcome than others. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of GOP voters now say it is very important who controls Congress, a view shared by just 57% of Democrats and 46% of unaffiliated voters.

Republicans have held an edge over Democrats for several months now in the Generic Congressional Ballot. In November, the number of Americans identifying themselves as Democrats fell to a four-year low but is still more than the number who call themselves Republicans.

Earlier polling showed that 71% of voters are angry at the policies of the federal government. Most say that neither Republican nor Democratic leaders have an understanding of what is needed in the nation today.

Eighty-four percent (84%) of voters correctly identify Democrats as having the majority of seats in the U.S. Senate. This is the highest such finding since the months just after the 2006 midterm congressional elections when Democrats regained control of both chambers.

While most voters continue to blame President George W. Bush for the bad economy, they have opposed many of the solutions proposed by Congress this year including bailouts of the financial and auto industries and the $787-billion economic stimulus plan approved in February. For the first time, a plurality of voters believes that stimulus plan has actually hurt the economy.

Most voters also remain worried that the government will do too much to try to fix the economy.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has in recent weeks been an outspoken advocate of the health care plan, and his unfavorability ratings have been rising to challenge those of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who continues to be the best-known and most unpopular member of the congressional leadership. Reid also faces a difficult race for reelection next year in Nevada.

Incumbent Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan, another health plan supporter, may have a serious problem on his hands if Republicans recruit Governor John Hoeven to run for the U.S. Senate in North Dakota next year.

Democratic incumbents also trail in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Colorado. Other states featuring potentially competitive races include Illinois, Ohio and Missouri.

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