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‘US Congress approval rating falls to 13%’

Congress
The public approval rating of the US Congress has plunged to 13 percent with the budget sequestration taking effect this month, the results of a new poll show.

The survey, conducted by the Gallup, was based on telephone interviews with 1,022 American adults from across the United States from March 7 to 10.

The results showed that the Congress’ approval rating fell essentially from its previous mark of 15 percent in February, ranking just a few percentage points above the all-time low of 10 percent reached twice last year.

Furthermore, the Congress approval rate has averaged just 14 percent for the first quarter of 2013, compared with 15 percent for all of 2012, 17 percent in 2011, and 19 percent in 2010.

Congressional Republicans, independents, and Democrats have near equal ratings, with approval ratings of 15 percent, 11 percent, and 13 percent, respectively.

President Barack Obama and Congress failed to reach a last-minute deal as across-the-board spending reductions kicked in on March 1.

Washington has failed to approve a proper budget in recent years, opting to renew resolutions usually at six-month intervals.

The division of power in Congress, failure to compromise on key legislative issues, and the public’s perception of low honesty and ethics among lawmakers also contribute to the long-lasting slump in the Congressional approval rating, according to Gallup surveys.

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