The Congress

In the most recent Gallup survey, 11% approve of the job being done by Congress, while 85% disapprove. This is a drop of 8 percentage points in the last month. Notably, while Congressional job approval has dropped from 17% to 15% among Republicans, it has dropped from 20% to 5% (15 points) among Democrats. The average overall approval rating for this year is 15%, the lowest annual average since the question was first asked in 1974. [Gallup 10/13]

At least for the moment, the Republican Party is rated favorably by 28%. This is the lowest number reported for either Party since Gallup began asking the relevant question in 1992. The previous low of 31% was also achieved by the Republicans in 1999.

The Democratic Party is rated favorably by 43% of the public. The previous low was 42% in 2010. [Gallup 10/9/13]

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On the question of whether respondents would prefer a Congress controlled by Democrats or Republicans in 2014, 47% said they would prefer a Democrat- controlled Congress, and 39% would prefer Republican control. In a September 2013 survey the spread was only 3 points, 46% to 43%, preferring Democratic control.

Looking back at the last seven general elections (1998-2012) , there seems to be little relationship between the Congressional control preferences in September/October of the year before the election and the outcome of the subsequent election.

If given the opportunity on the next general election ballot to replace the entire Congress, 60% would take that option. This is the highest number recorded since NBC/WSJ began asking this question in March 2010. [NBC/WSJ 10/13]

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The U.S. Senate

• Democrats 52
• Republicans 46
• Independents 2

* Italics denotes the retirement of a current member.

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The House of Representatives

There has been some change in the structure of the House of Representatives races since the September issue of the Watch, based on the Cook Political Report. These changes were driven by the role of the Republican members of Congress in the recent government shutdown.

As it has for a very long time, WW regularly reprints and relies on the analysis of House races published by the “Cook Political Report.”



“The Rothenberg Political Report” has also posted a report that deals with the entire House. [Thanks to the Rothenberg Political Report.]

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