Most Americans support a clean bill raising the debt ceiling without associated spending cuts, a new poll finds.
A nationwide poll by NPR-PBS NewsHour-Marist found that 52 percent of respondents think Congress should raise the debt ceiling to avoid a potential country default and address any spending cuts separately, while 42 percent said the debt limit should only be raised in the case of larger expenditure cuts are included.
Pollsters found a significant difference in preferences by party: 75 percent of Democrats wanted a clean bill and 65 percent of Republicans supported the cuts only raising the debt ceiling, even if it meant the US defaulted.
Almost half of the independents said the debt ceiling should only be raised if it involves spending cuts.
The Biden administration and Congressional Democrats are in the midst of negotiations with Congressional Republicans to work out an agreement to raise the debt limit. President Biden has been pushing for a clean bill, while Republicans have insisted on significant spending cuts in exchange for their votes to raise the cap.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has hinted that the country could default as soon as June 1 if the ceiling is not raised, but some Republicans have expressed skepticism as to whether that is an accurate date.
The Biden administration has warned that a default could cause significant damage to the US and global economy and plunge the country into recession.
Black mayors urge Tim Scott and Congress to address racial disparities in home ownership. Disney’s Reputation Rises Among Democrats, Falls Among Republicans: Poll
Respondents were also largely divided on party lines as to who is to blame if the country actually defaults. 45 percent said Congressional Republicans would bear the primary blame, and 43 percent said Biden would bear the primary blame.
Nearly three-quarters of Republicans and half of independents would blame Biden primarily, and three-quarters of Democrats would blame Congressional Republicans primarily.
The survey was conducted May 15-18 among 1,286 US adults. The error rate was 3.4 points.
Copyright 2023 Nextstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Comments are closed.