WHAT HAPPENED: A Gallup poll released on Wednesday morning indicates that only 10 percent of Americans approve of Congress, approaching a historic low of nine percent last seen in 2013. Eighty-six percent disapprove, matching a historic high for disapproval last seen in 2015.

DETAIL: The high disapproval is attributed to government shutdowns, including the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and various scandals involving Congress members such as accused rapist Eric Swalwell. Approval ratings had briefly peaked at 31 percent in March last year but have since declined sharply. The decline has been driven largely by cratering support among self-identified Republicans, who gave Congress a 62 percent approval rating in March 2025 but now give it just 20 percent.

 KEY QUOTE: “Beyond the ongoing DHS funding impasse, congressional disapproval in Gallup’s April 1-15 poll may reflect Republicans’ frustration over Congress not passing legislation, including the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which passed the House in 2025 and would require citizenship documentation to register to vote. Also, broader tensions over war powers related to the U.S. conflict with Iran, the effects of high gas prices, and ethics scandals involving two members of Congress that led to their resignations as the polling period was drawing to a close may be souring public opinion further.” – Gallup

IMPACT: The poll highlights a significant drop in approval from Republicans, who now rate the GOP-led Congress at just 20 percent, down from 63 percent shortly after President Trump’s inauguration.

DATA: Conducted from April 1 to April 15, 2026, the Gallup poll surveyed 1,001 adults with a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.