2002 Public Opinion Survey

Exercising Citizenship in American Democracy

The Center on Congress sponsored a study of the American electorate during the 2002 Congressional Election. "Exercising Citizenship in American Democracy" is a national telephone survey focusing on the public's civic knowledge and political attitudes as well as their involvement in community affairs and participation in the political process. The Indiana University Center for Survey Research conducted the study. The survey was partially funded by the Representative Democracy in America Project through the U.S. Department of Education.

Public Attitudes on Congress and Representative Democracy

The survey asked a number of questions about citizens' knowledge and attitudes toward Congress. Here, we present the responses to those questions that focus on attitudes toward Congress and representative democracy. These questions do not have correct answers. The questions tell us how the public feels about government.

A great deal of activity takes place in the U.S. Congress. How much of that activity do you think has an important impact on your daily life?

Almost everything	7%
Most but not all	30%
Some	51%
Very little	12%

"Senators and House members don't care much what people like you think." Do you:

Strongly agree	25%
Somewhat agree	33%
Neither agree nor disagree	11%
Somewhat disagree	23%
Strongly disagree	7%

"The problem with Congress is that the House members and Senators spend all their time bickering instead of cooperating." Do you:

Strongly agree	34%
Somewhat agree	35%
Neither agree nor disagree	11%
Somewhat disagree	14%
Strongly disagree	6%

How do you feel about the way the U.S. Congress is handling its job?

Strongly approve	7%
Somewhat approve	54%
Somewhat disapprove	29%
Strongly disapprove	9%

What about the job your current Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives is doing as a legislator in Washington D.C.?

Strongly approve	15%
Somewhat approve	60%
Somewhat disapprove	16%
Strongly disapprove	8%

What about the job your current Representative is doing in taking care of specific needs at home in the district?

Strongly approve	16%
Somewhat approve	53%
Somewhat disapprove	21%
Strongly disapprove	8%

Thinking about your representative in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, how well does your House member represent your views?

A very good job	11%
A good job	63%
Not a good job of representing your views	26%

"Most members of Congress will tell lies if they feel the truth will hurt them politically." Do you:

Strongly agree	45%
Somewhat agree	41%
Somewhat disagree	11%
Strongly disagree	3%

"Most members of Congress work hard at their jobs." Do you:

Strongly agree	21%
Somewhat agree	54%
Somewhat disagree	17%
Strongly disagree	8%

"Most members of Congress are poorly informed about important issues." Do you:

Strongly agree	13%
Somewhat agree	34%
Somewhat disagree	37%
Strongly disagree	16%

"Most members of Congress are honest." Do you:

Strongly agree	7%
Somewhat agree	46%
Somewhat disagree	29%
Strongly disagree	19%

"Most members of Congress spend more time trying to get reelected than doing work in Congress." Do you:

Strongly agree	41%
Somewhat agree	39%
Somewhat disagree	16%
Strongly disagree	4%

"Most members of Congress waste a lot of taxpayers' dollars." Do you:

Strongly agree	45%
Somewhat agree	38%
Somewhat disagree	14%
Strongly disagree	3%

Do you think it is better when one party controls both the presidency and Congress, better when one party controls the presidency and the other party controls Congress, or doesn't it matter?

One party controls both	24%
One party controls the presidency    and the other party controls Congress	37%
Doesn't matter	38%

In many ways the United States has been very successful. When you think about the good things that have happened in the United States, how responsible do you think the government has been for these successes?

Very responsible	21%
Somewhat responsible	65%
Not too responsible	12%
Not at all responsible	2%

In particular, how about the U.S. Congress in Washington? How responsible has it been for these successes?

Very responsible	10%
Somewhat responsible	68%
Not too responsible	20%
Not at all responsible	2%

Knowledge About Congress and Representative Democracy

Here, we present responses to factual questions about Congress. For knowledge questions, or questions that have correct, factual answers, the correct response is italicized.

What is the main duty of the U.S. Congress?

To write legislation	68%
To administer the president's policies	13%
To supervise the states' governments	19%

How much of a majority is required for the U.S. Senate and House to override a presidential veto?

A bare majority - 50 percent plus one	18%
A two-thirds majority	69%
A three-fourths majority	13%

How long is the term of office for a United States Senator?

Two years	18%
Four years	35%
Six years	46%

How long is the term of office for the U.S. House?

Two years	44%
Four years	40%
Six years	16%

If the House and the Senate pass different versions of a bill, what happens-does the president choose which version he wants to sign, does the Supreme Court review the two versions, or do the House and Senate attempt to work out a compromise?

President chooses	12%
Supreme Court reviews the two versions	10%
House and Senate attempt to work     out a compromise	78%

Where in Congress does most of the work on legislation take place?

In committees	77%
In floor debates	16%
In filibusters	7%

If there is a tie vote in the Senate, who casts the tie-breaking vote?

The President	9%
The Vice President	44%
The Speaker of the House	47%

Which one of the parties is more conservative than the other at the national level?

The Democrats	22%
The Republicans	77%

Who has the final responsibility to decide if a law is constitutional or not? Is it:

The President	11%
The Congress	19%
The Supreme Court	70%