Politics

59% Favor Strict Sanctions on Those Who Employ Illegal Immigrants

While official Washington, D.C. debates the need for immigration reform, most voters continue to believe as they have for years that gaining control of the border is the most pressing need. They also remain strongly supportive of punishing those who hire illegal immigrants.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of Likely U.S. Voters believe gaining control of the border is more important than legalizing the status of undocumented workers already living in this country. Thirty-four percent (34%) consider legalizing the status of existing illegal immigrants more important. (To see question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 7-8, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

40% Think U.S. Should Do More to Rescue Nigerian Schoolgirls

The plight of the Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamic terrorists has captured the attention of the American public, with voters much more supportive of helping rescue the girls than they are of further U.S. involvement in Ukraine or Syria.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. government should do more to help rescue the nearly 300 schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamic terror group Boko Haram in Nigeria. Twenty-seven percent (27%) oppose further U.S. involvement, while 33% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 12, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Support for Transgender Anti-Discrimination Laws Turns on Public Restroom Question

Americans generally favor laws like those recently passed in California and Maryland that ban discrimination against men and women who claim to be the opposite sex, but opposition increases dramatically when they are told these laws may allow biological men to freely use women's public bathrooms and vice versa. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults favor a law that bans discrimination based on gender identity when it comes to employment, housing and public accommodations in their state. Thirty-four percent (34%) oppose such a law, but another 21% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted May 11, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

57% Favor Further Investigation of the IRS

Half of voters still believe the IRS broke the law when it targeted Tea Party and other conservative groups, and even more think the matter needs to be looked into further.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters think the Obama administration’s handling of the IRS matter merits further investigation. Just half as many (28%) say the case should be closed. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 9-10, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

30% Think Obama Should Go It Alone to Fight Global Warming

Voters tend to agree with President Obama that global warming is causing weather problems in the United States and that it needs to be dealt with right away. But they’re more reluctant than ever to pay for it.

Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe global warming is causing more extreme weather events in this country, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-five percent (35%) disagree, while 15% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

57% Say U.S. Doesn’t Spend Enough on Roads, Bridges and Tunnels

Most Americans think the United States doesn’t spend enough on infrastructure like roads and bridges and believe that’s a job for state governments to tackle.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of American Adults think the United States spends about the right amount of money on roads, bridges and tunnels. Six percent (6%) feel the country spends too much on infrastructure, but 57% say it doesn’t spend enough. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

18% Say U.S. Should Do More to Help Change Syrian Government

As the devastating civil war in Syria drags on into its fourth year, U.S. voters remain just as reluctant about American involvement.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 18% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States should do more to bring about a change in the government in Syria. Forty-seven percent (47%) do not think the United States should do more. One-out-of-three voters (35%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

48% View Coal Industry Favorably

Nearly half of voters still have a favorable opinion of the U.S. coal industry, higher marks than they gave the federal Environmental Protection Agency last fall.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the coal industry, while 36% view it unfavorably. This compares to 51% with a favorable opinion and 29% with an unfavorable one in July of last year. The latest findings include 16% with a Very Favorable view of the coal industry and 15% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 1-2, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

65% Oppose Tolls on Interstate Highways

President Obama is asking Congress to lift the ban on tolls on Interstate highways to help fund road repairs. Most Americans think that’s a bad idea, perhaps in large part because they doubt the toll revenue will be spent the right way.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 22% of American Adults favor putting tolls on Interstate highways for infrastructure maintenance. Three times as many (65%) are opposed to turning the nation’s Interstates into toll roads, something that has been banned since 1956 when the highway system was created. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

51% Worry Government Won’t Do Enough to Help Economy

Half of voters still fear the government won’t take the necessary steps to help the economy, and most continue to think spending cuts are the way to do it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters are worried the federal government will do too much in reacting to the nation’s economic problems. Fifty-one percent (51%) are more worried the government will not do enough. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 3-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

28% Have Favorable Opinion of the Federal Government

Fewer voters look favorably on the feds these days.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 28% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of the federal government. Most voters (67%) continue to view the federal government unfavorably. These findings include just three percent with a Very Favorable impression of the federal government and 31% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 1-2, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

56% Favor the Death Penalty

Most Americans still support the death penalty despite the recent botched lethal injection given to the convicted murderer of a 19-year-old woman in Oklahoma. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults favor the death penalty, down slightly from 59% in March of last year, while 28% oppose it. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 2-3, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

28% Are Willing To Pay Higher Utility Bills to Reduce Coal Usage

A top White House adviser said yesterday that there is nothing Congress can do to stop President Obama from reducing coal plant emissions, even though industry officials insist this will close power plants and drive up energy costs. Most voters are unwilling to pay more to reduce coal usage for energy production, but they’re evenly divided when asked if America should start phasing out coal-fired plants.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of Likely U.S. Voters correctly recognize that 40% of America’s electricity is now being produced by coal-burning power plants. Forty-three percent (43%) believe coal produces more of the nation’s electric power than that, with 16% who peg it at 80%. Just 13% think coal-fueled plants produce less than 40% of the country’s electricity, but 24% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 1-2, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

51% Think Benghazi Merits Further Investigation; 34% Disagree

Most voters suspect the Obama administration hasn’t been completely forthcoming about how it reacted to the murder of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and several other Americans in Benghazi, Libya. Just over half think the Benghazi matter deserves further investigation.

Only 32% of Likely U.S. Voters are satisfied with the administration’s explanation of its response to the Benghazi situation in September 2012, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty percent (50%) are not satisfied with the administration’s explanation. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 3-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

56% Have Voted for an Independent Candidate

Considering that over half of voters agree neither party in Congress is the party of the American people, it's not surprising that more now say they have voted for an independent candidate.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters have voted for a candidate not affiliated with either major political party. That's up six points from 50% four years ago before the last mid-term congressional elections. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 19-20, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

41% Are Fiscal Conservatives

Voters remain conservative on money issues and continue to be more conservative when it comes to social policy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters identify themselves as conservative on fiscal issues such as taxes, government spending and business regulation. That's unchanged from December which marked the lowest number of fiscal conservatives in over a year. However, just 14% are liberal in this area, while 40% view themselves as moderates. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

35% Say Their State Government is Too Big

Americans report a slightly better budget picture in their state compared to two years ago, but one-out-of-three think their state government still needs to go on a diet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 27% of American Adults believe the budget situation in their state is better than it was a year ago, unchanged from June 2012. But while 54% said in that earlier survey that their state budget situation was worse, just 37% feel that way now. Twenty-four percent (24%) say their state’s budget picture is about the same as it was a year ago, compared to 15% in 2012. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure. (To see survey wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 24-25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

41% Think ‘Arab Spring’ Changes Bad for U.S.

Many hoped that the “Arab Spring” protests that began three years ago would lead to a new era of democracy in a number of Islamic countries, but U.S. voters now see that as increasingly unlikely and think the changes there have been bad for America.

Just nine percent (9%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the changes in countries such as Egypt, Libya and Tunisia have been good for the United States, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Forty-one percent (41%) think the rise of new governments in those countries has been bad for America instead. Twenty-six percent (26%) say the changes have had no impact, while nearly as many (24%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 29-30, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

52% Say U.S. Not Aggressive Enough in Deportations; 14% Say Too Aggressive

The Obama administration is considering a reduction in the number of illegal immigrants it deports, pending passage of an immigration reform plan now stalled in Congress. But most voters still believe the federal government is not aggressive enough in this area already and should not halt deportations while it waits on Congress to act.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 14% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. government is too aggressive in deporting those who are in this country illegally. Fifty-two percent (52%) believe the government is not aggressive enough in deporting illegal immigrants. Twenty-two percent (22%) view the current number of deportations as about right. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 27-28, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

36% Think Federal Government Owns Too Much of America

The federal government owns over a quarter of the land in the United States, and Americans are closely divided when asked if the government should give up some of it.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of American Adults believe the federal government owns too much property in this country, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 11% think the government doesn’t own enough. Thirty-eight percent (38%) consider the amount of land owned by the federal government to be about right. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on April 24-25, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.