18 April 2023

AAN Debt Ceiling Survey: Majorities Support McCarthy’s Debt Ceiling Positions & Proposed Savings

WASHINGTON – American Action Network released the results of a new survey conducted in 87 battleground congressional districts, where Joe Biden won by an average of five points in 2020, to gauge public sentiment on the upcoming debt ceiling battle. The survey, conducted by American Viewpoint, found that by double digit margins Americans oppose raising the debt ceiling without cutting government spending and find conservative arguments far more persuasive on the debt ceiling than President Biden’s. Americans also widely believe the Speaker is negotiating in good faith.

Majorities agree with Speaker McCarthy and Republicans’ in Congress proposed savings in exchange for raising the debt ceiling, like reclaiming unspent COVID relief funds, reforming energy permitting, and more.

Click here to view the polling memo released by AAN.

“Speaker McCarthy and the new House majority are on the right side of the debt ceiling battle, listening to what the majority of Americans want and working in good faith to reach an agreement that will responsibly raise the debt ceiling while cutting government spending,” said AAN President Dan Conston. “It’s time for President Biden to come to the table and put the American people first.”

Key Findings:

  1. Voters oppose increasing the debt ceiling without cutting government spending. (Oppose: 50% to Support: 37%)
  2. By large margins, voters in battleground districts agree more with the Speaker’s overall position on the debt ceiling than President Biden’s. (McCarthy/Republicans: 53% to Biden/Democrats: 39%)
  3. Americans believe that Speaker McCarthy is negotiating in good faith with President Biden (52% to 36%), and a majority say President Biden will be to blame if a compromise is not reached (51% to 40%).
  4. There is overwhelming support from battleground voters for the proposed savings by Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
  5. Americans in battleground districts are far more persuaded by Republican arguments than Democratic arguments on the debt ceiling. Republican arguments poll nearly 20 points higher than Democrat ones.

 

 


Courtney Parella

Communications Director