“Exercising Citizenship in American

Democracy” Survey Findings Released

2002 Public Opinion Survey

Exercising Citizenship in American Democracy

The Center on Congress sponsored a study of the American electorate
during the 2002 Congressional Election. "Exercising Citizenship in American
Democracy" is a national telephone survey focusing on the public's civic
knowledge and political attitudes as well as their involvement in community
affairs and participation in the political process. The Indiana University
Center for Survey Research conducted the study. The survey was partially
funded by the Representative Democracy in America Project through the
U.S. Department of Education.

Public Attitudes on Congress and Representative

Democracy
The survey asked a number of questions about citizens' knowledge and
attitudes toward Congress. Here, we present the responses to those
questions that focus on attitudes toward Congress and representative
democracy. These questions do not have correct answers. The questions tell
us how the public feels about government.

A great deal of activity takes place in the U.S. Congress. How much
of that activity do you think has an important impact on your daily
life?

Almost everything 7%

Most but not all 30%

Some 51%

Very little 12%

"Senators and House members don't care much what people like
you think." Do you:

Strongly agree 25%

Somewhat agree 33%

Neither agree nor disagree 11%

 Somewhat disagree 23%

Strongly disagree 7%

"The problem with Congress is that the House members and

Senators spend all their time bickering instead of cooperating." Do
you:

Strongly agree 34%

Somewhat agree 35%

Neither agree nor disagree 11%

Somewhat disagree 14%

Strongly disagree 6%

How do you feel about the way the U.S. Congress is handling its
job?

Strongly approve 7%

Somewhat approve 54%

Somewhat disapprove 29%

Strongly disapprove 9%

What about the job your current Representative in the U.S. House of
Representatives is doing as a legislator in Washington D.C.?

Strongly approve 15%

Somewhat approve 60%

Somewhat disapprove 16%

Strongly disapprove 8%

What about the job your current Representative is doing in taking

care of specific needs at home in the district?

Strongly approve 16%

Somewhat approve 53%

Somewhat disapprove 21%

Strongly disapprove 8%
Thinking about your representative in the U.S. House of
Representatives in Washington, how well does your House member
represent your views?

A very good job 11%

A good job 63%

Not a good job of representing your

26%
views

"Most members of Congress will tell lies if they feel the truth will
hurt them politically." Do you:

Strongly agree 45%

Somewhat agree 41%

Somewhat disagree 11%

Strongly disagree 3%

"Most members of Congress work hard at their jobs." Do you:

Strongly agree 21%

Somewhat agree 54%

Somewhat disagree 17%

Strongly disagree 8%

"Most members of Congress are poorly informed about important

issues." Do you:

Strongly agree 13%

Somewhat agree 34%

Somewhat disagree 37%

Strongly disagree 16%

"Most members of Congress are honest." Do you:

Strongly agree 7%

Somewhat agree 46%

Somewhat disagree 29%

Strongly disagree 19%

"Most members of Congress spend more time trying to get reelected
than doing work in Congress." Do you:

Strongly agree 41%

Somewhat agree 39%

Somewhat disagree 16%

Strongly disagree 4%

"Most members of Congress waste a lot of taxpayers' dollars." Do

you:

Strongly agree 45%

Somewhat agree 38%

Somewhat disagree 14%

Strongly disagree 3%

Do you think it is better when one party controls both the

presidency and Congress, better when one party controls the
presidency and the other party controls Congress, or doesn't it
matter?

One party controls both 24%

One party controls the presidency

37%
and the other party controls Congress

Doesn't matter 38%

In many ways the United States has been very successful. When
you think about the good things that have happened in the United
States, how responsible do you think the government has been for
these successes?

Very responsible 21%

Somewhat responsible 65%

Not too responsible 12%

Not at all responsible 2%

In particular, how about the U.S. Congress in Washington? How

responsible has it been for these successes?

Very responsible 10%

Somewhat responsible 68%

 Not too responsible 20%

Not at all responsible 2%

Knowledge About Congress and Representative Democracy

Here, we present responses to factual questions about Congress. For
knowledge questions, or questions that have correct, factual answers, the
correct response is italicized.

What is the main duty of the U.S. Congress?

To write legislation 68%

To administer the president's policies 13%

To supervise the states' governments 19%

How much of a majority is required for the U.S. Senate and House to
override a presidential veto?

A bare majority - 50 percent plus one 18%

A two-thirds majority 69%

A three-fourths majority 13%

How long is the term of office for a United States Senator?

Two years 18%

Four years 35%

Six years 46%

How long is the term of office for the U.S. House?

Two years 44%

Four years 40%

Six years 16%

If the House and the Senate pass different versions of a bill, what
happens-does the president choose which version he wants to sign,
does the Supreme Court review the two versions, or do the House
and Senate attempt to work out a compromise?

President chooses 12%

Supreme Court reviews the two

10%
versions

House and Senate attempt to work 78%

 out a compromise

Where in Congress does most of the work on legislation take place?

In committees 77%

In floor debates 16%

In filibusters 7%

If there is a tie vote in the Senate, who casts the tie-breaking vote?

The President 9%

The Vice President 44%

The Speaker of the House 47%

Which one of the parties is more conservative than the other at the
national level?

The Democrats 22%

The Republicans 77%

Who has the final responsibility to decide if a law is constitutional or

not? Is it:

The President 11%

The Congress 19%

The Supreme Court 70%