(Week of 4/13/2013) More than a third of Americans say they have been affected by the cuts in government spending required by sequestration – but that is fewer than the percentages expecting to be hit when the sequester first went into effect. In the latest Economist/YouGov Poll, just one in ten say they or members of their families have felt a major impact.
At the beginning of the sequester, twice as many expected they would suffer a major impact. More than half expected some effect on their families. Just 39% overall today say they have seen an effect, and for most of that group the impact has been minor.
The sequester may have political consequences eventually, but so far the public is dividing along party lines when they look for a culprit. 31% (and 56% of Democrats) blame Republicans in Congress, 26% (59% of Republicans) blame President Obama. Just over one in four blame both equally, perhaps another statement about partisan polarization and bickering in Washington.
The President’s approval rating this week is 48%. 47% disapprove of the way he is handling his job overall. Congress fares much worse; 13% approve of how it is doing its job; 65% disapprove.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can be found here
Photo source: Press Association
