Twenty percent (20%) of Americans give Congress a good or excellent rating these days. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey found that 41% say the nation’s legislators are doing a fair job while 38% say poor.

Bleak as those numbers are, they represent an improvement since the Democrats have taken power. In December, just 11% gave Congress a good or excellent rating while 47% say they were doing a poor job. That was the last survey conducted while the GOP was in charge. Democrats are currently trusted more than Republicans on a variety of issues including how to handle the situation in Iraq. However, ratings for Congress remain far lower than for the President.

In January, the first survey conducted after the Democrats assumed control, 16% gave Congress good or excellent marks (see tracking history).

Still, while the ratings are up a bit, just 43% of American voters say it is somewhat likely that Congress will seriously address the most important problems facing our nation. Just 10% say it is Very Likely that Congress will seriously address those issues. Those figures are little changed since Election 2006 changed the balance of power. One rating that has changed is that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) gets far better marks than her predecessor. Pelosi currently earns favorable reviews from 47% of voters.

Thirteen percent (13%) believe that most members of Congress are sincerely interested in helping people while 70% say the Representatives are mostly interested in their own careers.

By way of comparison, 38% say the Supreme Court is doing a good or an excellent job. Forty-three percent (43%) give the Justices a “fair” rating while 17% say poor. Those figures have changed little in recent months.

Rasmussen Reports provides weekly updates on the Presidential nomination competition, releasing new results for Democrats each Monday and for Republicans each Tuesday. In addition to tracking key issues Rasmussen Reports provides continuous updates on Republican and Democratic Presidential candidates, Congressional Leaders, Journalists, and other Political Figures. Rasmussen Reports also measures the President’s Job Approval on a daily basis.