Gallup: 79 Percent Say Congress 'Out of Touch'

Americans are growing more skeptical of lawmakers with 79 percent saying Congress is out of touch with the average American, 52 percent saying Congress is corrupt, and 69 percent believe Congress is only focused on special interests, a new Gallup Poll reveals.

With a possible government shutdown just days away, the poll shows many Americans have little faith in lawmakers doing the right thing with an approval rating of only 14 percent.

But, after House Speaker John Boehner unexpectedly resigned last Friday, the poll notes that his resignation could prevent a government shutdown this week.

However, according to the poll, "If this is true, it could confirm some of Americans' worst impressions of Congress, as it would suggest that simple legislative functions, such as funding the federal government, are enough to thrust the House into leadership turmoil."

With the House speaker's abrupt resignation and a possible government shutdown, the poll notes that Congress is under greater-than-usual stress, but with the recent criticism of lawmakers, "it is doubtful many Americans will see the showdown as a dispute over how best to serve the nation's interests."

Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Sept. 9-13, 2015, with a random sample of 1,025 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

Related Stories:

• Boehner Resignation Cuts Government Shutdown Risk
• Boehner Sets House on Course to Avoid Shutdown