Congress

Currently, 78% of Americans disapprove of the job being done by Congress while 13% approve. This represents a tiny change since a year ago, when 80% disapproved and 13% approved. [Fox 10/12/15]

Americans disapprove of the job being done by Democrats in Congress by 59% to 35%, and the job being done by Republicans in Congress by 71% to 24%. [WP/ABC 10/18/15]

45% of respondents prefer a Congress controlled by Republicans, while an equal number prefer a Congress controlled by Democrats. [NBC/WSJ 10/29/15]

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The House

With the 2016 election just over a year away, the potential for Democrats to take over the House remains something less than modest. There has been little change since the September Watch. (As usual, The Cook Political Report is the source of the data below.)

The Republicans need only win 10 of the 25 seats that are leaning their way to retain control of the House.

• Democrats 188
• Republicans 246
• Vacancy 1

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The Senate

The decision by Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan to take on incumbent Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte results in an increase of one in the number of incumbent Senators whose seats are at risk.

However the prospect for the Democrats to regain their majority is still quite slim. At least at this time, the Republicans need only take two of the Toss-Up races to retain their majority, while the Democrats will have to take all five of the Toss-Up races in order to end up with the majority.

Of course the above assumes there will be no surprises among the States that are currently treated as Safe or Leaning.

• Republicans 54
• Democrats 44
• Independents 2

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