Gallup Poll: 70 Percent of Republicans Oppose Raising Debt Ceiling

Many Republican congressmen have expressed opposition to an increase in the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling. And a new Gallup poll shows Republican voters feel the same way. Indeed, 70 percent of them oppose lifting the debt-limit ceiling, while only 8 percent favor it, and 21 percent say they know too little to decide, The Hill reports.

Among Americans as a whole, 47 percent oppose a hike, 19 percent favor one, and 34 percent say they don’t know enough to form an opinion.

As for Democrats, 26 percent oppose an increase, 33 percent favor it, and 40 percent are unsure. Among independents, 46 percent are against a hike, 15 percent approve of it, and 40 percent are unsure.

“The public's perceptions are clearly negative [about an increase], suggesting the debt ceiling vote is a political hurdle lawmakers will need to overcome,” says Gallup chief economist Dennis Jacobe.