CBS NEWS POLL For release: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 7:00 am ET **Embargoed Until Wednesday, July 24th

at 7:00 am ET** Views on the Economy and Other Issues Facing the Country
July 18-22, 2013

The latest CBS News Poll takes a look at some issues facing the country. Americans continue to view the nations economy negatively. More disapprove than approve of the health care law which has been the case since the law was enacted in 2010. 39% would like to see the law repealed the highest its been in CBS News Polls. On immigration, there is broad support for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in the U.S. provided certain requirements are met, but border security is a higher priority. The public is divided in their feelings about the Zimmerman verdict, with sharp differences by race.

The Economy Americans continue to rate the nations economy badly: six in ten still say it is in bad shape, while 37% say it is good. Views of the economy are more positive now compared to last year at this time, but the percentage that says the economy is in bad shape has been 60% or higher since January 2008. Now Good 37% Bad 61 Health Care President Barack Obama touted the Affordable Care Act in a speech last week, but Americans remain skeptical. As they have since the health care law was enacted in 2010, more disapprove than approve of it. View of the Health Care Law Now 3/2013 7/2012 36% 35% 36 54 48 50 10 17 14 3/2010 32% 53 15 Rating the National Economy 6/2013 4/2013 7/2012 6/2011 7/2010 7/2009 2/2009 1/2008 12/2007 39% 31% 27% 18% 17% 18 5% 38% 42% 60 68 71 81 82 82 94 61 57

Approve Disapprove Dont know

Most Americans want either the entire law repealed (39% and the highest in CBS News Polls) or a repeal of the individual mandate (18%). Fewer want to see the law kept as is or expanded.

What Should Congress do about the Health Care Law? Now 10/2012 7/2012 Expand it 20% 22% 17% Keep entire law 16 21 15 Repeal individual mandate 18 19 27 Repeal entire law 39 29 34 As might be expected there are partisan differences here. Most Republicans disapprove of the health care law and want to see it repealed, while Democrats support the law and prefer it be kept as is or be expanded. More than three years after the health care bill was signed into law, 52% of Americans say they are confused about the effect it will have on them. Fewer than half - 44% - say they have a good understanding of the law a percentage that hasnt changed much since March 2010, shortly after the law was enacted. Understand How Health Care Law Will Affect You? Now 3/2012 3/2010 44% 47% 41% 52 48 53

Yes, understand No, its confusing

From what Americans have heard or read, more think the health care law will personally hurt them (38%) rather than help them (13%). More than four in 10 think the health care law will have no impact on them personally. Immigration As Congress continues to tackle immigration reform, there is widespread support for providing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in the U.S. if they meet certain requirements, including a waiting period, paying fines and back taxes, passing criminal background checks and learning English. 78% favor that; just 20% oppose. Support cuts across partisan lines. Path to Citizenship for Illegal Immigrants in U.S. if Conditions Met All Reps Dems Inds Favor 78% 70% 87% 76% Oppose 20 28 11 23 Still, Americans think securing the nations border should be a higher priority over addressing the status of illegal immigrants. Majorities of Republicans and independents say border security should take priority, while Democrats are more divided. Which Should be a Higher Priority? All Reps Dems Inds Securing the border 56% 76% 43% 56% Addressing status of illegal immigrants 37 19 49 36 After the Zimmerman Verdict Americans are sharply divided over the Zimmerman verdict, whereby George Zimmerman was found not guilty of all charges. 42% of Americans say they are either satisfied or pleased by the verdict, but 46% describe themselves as either disappointed or angry.

Feelings about the Zimmerman verdict reveal a division along racial lines. While 52% of whites are at least satisfied with the not guilty verdict, an overwhelming 94% of blacks feel differently: 53% of blacks say they are disappointed and 41% describe themselves as angry. Feelings About the Zimmerman Verdict Total Whites Satisfied or pleased 42% 52% Satisfied 18 23 Pleased 24 29 Disappointed or angry Disappointed Angry 46% 29 17 36% 24 12 Blacks 3% -3 94% 53 41

There is a large division by political party as well, with 73% of Republicans satisfied or pleased, and 65% of Democrats either disappointed or angry. Independents are more divided, though they lean towards disappointed. Feelings About the Zimmerman Verdict Total Reps Dems Ind Satisfied or pleased 42% 73% 28% 38% Disappointed or angry 46 16 65 47 _______________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted by telephone from July 18-22, 2013 among 1,036 adults nationwide. Data collection was conducted on behalf of CBS News by Social Science Research Solutions of Media, PA. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish . This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.