It is basically the most consistent thing in American life. More certain than taxes and usually grimmer than a Monday morning commute. I’m talking about how much people actually like—or rather, dislike—the folks we send to D.C. If you have ever wondered what is congress approval rating doing right now, the answer is usually "hovering somewhere near the basement."
Honestly, it is kinda wild. As of early 2026, the average approval for the U.S. Congress is sitting at a meager 15%. You read that right. According to recent data from pollsters like Gallup and the Economist/YouGov, about 68% of the country actively disapproves of the job they’re doing.
What Is Congress Approval Rating Even Measuring?
When a pollster calls you up and asks if you approve of Congress, they aren't asking if you like your specific representative. That’s the big secret. People usually love their own person—the one who helps get the local bridge fixed or shows up at the county fair. But "Congress" as an institution? That is a different beast entirely.
Most surveys, including the ones run by Quinnipiac and Ballotpedia, use a simple question. It's usually something like: "Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?" There is no middle ground. You’re either in or you’re out.
The funny thing is that this number has been in the gutter for decades. Back in October 2001, right after the 9/11 attacks, it hit an all-time high of 84%. People were unified. But since then? It has been a slow slide into the teens. In late 2025, Gallup recorded it at 17%, and as we've rolled into 2026, it hasn't found much reason to climb.
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The Partisan Divide is Real
You might think that if one party "wins," the approval goes up. Nope. It's actually the opposite.
In late 2025, for example, approval of Democrats in Congress hit a record low of about 18% among all voters in some Quinnipiac polls. Even their own base was frustrated. Only about 42% of Democrats approved of their own party's performance at that point. Meanwhile, Republicans weren't exactly throwing a victory parade. About 35% of voters approved of the GOP in Congress, though that number was heavily buoyed by their own supporters (77% of Republicans approved of their side).
It basically comes down to this: when your party is in power, you're mad they aren't doing more. When they're out of power, you're mad they can't stop the other side.
Why the Numbers Are So Low Right Now
There are a few big reasons why the congress approval rating looks so dismal as we head toward the 2026 midterms.
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First off, there was that government shutdown mess in late 2025. People hate shutdowns. They see it as a failure of the one job Congress actually has: keeping the lights on. According to Marquette Law School, voters were pretty evenly split on who to blame, but they were united in their annoyance.
- The Economy: This is always the big one. About 24% of voters say the economy is their top concern. If prices are high, Congress gets the blame.
- Gridlock: It feels like nothing moves. People see the "family squabble" on the news and just tune out.
- Executive Power: There’s a growing feeling that the President—whoever it is—is doing too much and Congress is doing too little. A Quinnipiac poll from January 2026 showed that 70% of voters want the President to get congressional approval before taking military action. When Congress stays quiet, their ratings drop.
The "Incumbent Paradox"
Here is the weirdest part of the whole thing. While only 15% of people like Congress as a whole, about 90% of incumbents usually win re-election.
It’s the "my guy is great, everyone else is the problem" mentality. In 2024, only about 48% of people thought their specific representative deserved to be re-elected, but come election day, they usually vote for them anyway. It’s a weird glitch in the American political psyche.
How to Actually Track This Data
If you’re a political nerd or just someone who likes to keep receipts, you don't have to wait for the evening news. You can check these numbers in real-time.
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- Gallup Historical Trends: They’ve been doing this since 1974. It’s the gold standard for long-term data.
- Ballotpedia’s Polling Index: They aggregate multiple polls to give you a "poll of polls" average. It’s usually more stable than one single survey.
- RealClearPolitics: They do a similar aggregation and are great for seeing how approval correlates with things like the "Generic Congressional Vote" (which party people say they’ll vote for in the next election).
What This Means for 2026
As we look toward the 2026 midterms, these low ratings are a flashing yellow light for whoever is in the majority. Historically, low congressional approval coupled with a struggling presidential approval rating (which was around 42% in early 2026) spells trouble for the party in power.
But don’t expect a sudden surge in love for the Capitol. Even if a new party takes over, the honeymoon usually lasts about three weeks. Then the gridlock starts, the campaign ads begin, and we’re right back to 15%.
If you want to stay informed, look past the headline "approval" number. Look at the "Generic Ballot" numbers. Right now, Democrats have a slight edge in some 2026 polls (49% to 44%), but that doesn't mean people like them. It just means they might dislike them slightly less than the alternative at this exact moment.
Actionable Takeaways for the Informed Voter
Don't just look at the 15% and give up on the system. You can actually use this data to be a more effective citizen.
- Check the "Leaning" Data: About 45% of Americans now identify as Independents. That is a record high. If you feel like neither party represents you, you’re actually in the majority.
- Look at Specific Issues: Approval rises when Congress passes bills with broad support, like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or the American Rescue Plan. If you want to see the rating go up, look for bipartisan movement on things like the ACA or immigration reform.
- Contact Your Rep: Since they care about their individual approval more than the institutional one, your voice actually carries more weight when you call their local office rather than just venting on social media.
Keeping an eye on the congress approval rating isn't just about watching a scoreboard. It’s a pulse check on how well our representative democracy is actually representing us. And right now, the pulse is pretty faint.
Next Steps for You:
Check the most recent "Generic Congressional Ballot" on a site like RealClearPolitics or 538. This will give you a better idea of how that 15% approval rating is actually going to translate into votes in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.