PRINCETON, N.J., March 11 (UPI) -- Americans' dismal view of Congress dipped to 13 percent in early March from 15 percent a month ago, results of a Gallup poll released Monday indicated.
Gallup said the $85 billion in across-the-board budget cuts that went into effect March 1 apparently had little effect on Americans' opinion about their elected representatives.
The current 13 percent rating, based on interviews conducted Thursday through Sunday, is 3 percentage points above the all-time low of 10 percent reached twice last year, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said.
The low ratings could improve if Congress does something the public respects, Gallup said, but leave little wiggle room for another drop if Americans continue to perceive Congress' activities negatively.
Republicans, independents, and Democrats have nearly equal ratings of Congress, with approval ratings of 15 percent, 11 percent and 13 percent, respectively, Gallup said.
Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews with 1,022 adults conducted Thursday through Sunday. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.
