WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Public trust in the U.S. Congress has fallen to new lows, a CNN poll released Thursday found.
In the past, U.S. voters have tended to like their own congressional representative even if they did not have much use for the rest. But half of those surveyed said they think most of Congress is corrupt, and one-third believe that of their own representative.
The percentage who think Congress is corrupt has risen by 12 points since January, possibly a product of guilty pleas by Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, and former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif. -- and scandals involving former Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., and Rep. William Jefferson, D-La. In January, 22 percent said their own representative was corrupt, a figure that has risen to 36 percent.
Congressional Democrats do not enjoy much public esteem. Only 42 percent approve of them, while 54 percent disapprove.
Republicans' numbers are even worse. Only 36 percent give them good marks and 61 percent disapprove.
Pollsters from Opinion Research Group surveyed 1,012 people between Friday and Sunday.
