Advertisement

Biden approval rate takes hit from both Democrats and Republicans in latest Pew poll

WASHINGTON – Support for President Joe Biden has slipped among both Democrats and Republicans, according to a Pew Research Center survey released Thursday that shows the president’s approval rating is now more negative than positive.

Fewer than half (44%) of adults surveyed in September approved of how Biden his handling his job as president, while 53% disapproved.

In July, 55% approved and 43% disapproved.

While Biden still draws more public confidence for his handling of the pandemic than other issues, support has dropped from 65% in March to 51% in September.

And majorities of those surveyed have little or no confidence in his handling of foreign policy, military action, immigration and bringing the country together. The public’s view of Biden personally has also taken a hit.

The Pew survey of 10,371 adults was released the same week that a Gallup poll found similar results.

Asked Thursday about how the public’s view of Biden’s presidency is being affected by the administration’s handling of the pandemic, the chaotic military withdrawal from Afghanistan the migrant crisis at the southern border and the looming possibility of a government shutdown, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said challenging times come to every president.

“We’re in the middle of navigating and weathering storms and dealing with crises,” she said. “That’s what people elected him to get through.”

Gallup poll: Biden's approval rating hits new low

President Joe Biden walks off after speaking  on Aug. 26, 2021, about the bombings at the Kabul airport that killed at least 12 U.S. service members.
President Joe Biden walks off after speaking on Aug. 26, 2021, about the bombings at the Kabul airport that killed at least 12 U.S. service members.

Pew found a 13-percentage point drop since July in the share of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents who approve of Biden’s performance. The decline was even larger – 17 percentage points – among Republicans and GOP-leaners.

Coming after two difficult months for Biden, the Pew survey found the public is generally becoming more pessimistic. Approval ratings for GOP and Democratic congressional leaders have also taken a hit.

Democrats, who have a narrow control of Congress, are struggling to pass Biden’s ambitious domestic policy agenda over GOP opposition. Democrats face divisions in their own ranks over how expensive and expansive their legislation should be to slow climate change, make health care more affordable and strengthen the social safety net.

About half of adults surveyed by Pew favor a proposed $3.5 trillion package. A similar share like a $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill passed by the Senate to improve roads, bridges and internet access.Larger shares approve of the way Democrats want to pay for their plans – by raising taxes on large businesses and high-income households. About two-thirds favored higher taxes on large businesses and corporations and 61% want higher tax rates on households with income of $400,000 or more.

More: Policing talks collapse in Congress, marking end of negotiations spurred by George Floyd's death

Maureen Groppe has covered Washington for nearly three decades and is now a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. Follow her on Twitter @mgroppe.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Joe Biden's approval rating tumbles in Pew poll