Americans may not like gridlock and debate in Washington, but they agree with the rule that a simple majority shouldn’t be enough to override a Presidential veto or pass a Constitutional Amendment. But in the latest Economist/YouGov Poll many also don’t think a simple majority of votes in Congress should be enough to raise taxes, enact budgets, and raise the debt ceiling.
The rules of the U.S. Congress require a majority of those present to pass most legislation. However, certain actions require a "supermajority" (typically three-fifths or two-thirds) to vote in favor, so that a minority can block these actions. What size majority do you think should be needed before Congress should take these actions?
| Raise Taxes | Enact Budget | Raise Debt Ceiling | Cut Off Debate in Senate | Override Presidential Veto | Pass Constitutional Amendment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Majority | 33% | 37% | 31% | 30% | 23% | 20% |
Three-Fifths | 13% | 12% | 12% | 15% | 10% | 9% |
Two-Thirds | 16% | 18% | 16% | 18% | 28% | 21% |
Three-Quarters | 16% | 10% | 17% | 10% | 17% | 26% |
Not Sure | 22% | 23% | 23% | 27% | 23% | 23% |
Only some of these issues produce significant party differences -but the ones that do are the ones that have caused conflict in the last few weeks. 38% of Democrats are content to have a legislative majority raise taxes, but only 26% of Republicans are. 59% of Republicans (compared with 39% of Democrats) want to require super-majorities of three-fifths or more before taxes can be raised.
Republicans also want to require a super-majority to raise the debt ceiling. 39% of Democrats think that should be done with a simple majority; 59% of Republicans (compared with 37% of Democrats) would require at least three-fifths support.
Economist/YouGov poll archives can found here.
Photo source: Press Association
