Democrat Approval Crashes to Historic Low as GOP Surges in Congress

Paul Riverbank, 2/20/2025Democrats hit record low approval as Republicans gain unprecedented support in Congress.

The latest Quinnipiac University poll, conducted between February 13-17 with 1,039 registered voters, paints a stark picture for Democrats in Congress. With a mere 22% approval rating and a towering 68% disapproval, Democrats are facing what polling analyst Tim Malloy describes as "a sobering slap down of historic proportions."

Perhaps most concerning for the Democratic leadership is the erosion of support within their own base. The data reveals that Democratic voters themselves are turning against their representatives, with 49% expressing disapproval of their party's congressional performance — a remarkable sign of internal discord.

Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans have achieved their highest approval ratings since Quinnipiac began tracking these metrics in 2009. At 40% approval and 52% disapproval, the GOP's net negative of -12 points stands in sharp contrast to the Democrats' devastating -46 point deficit.

"Their Republican counterparts take a victory lap as the Democrats try to get their footing," Malloy noted — a statement that captures the dramatic power shift in Washington.

The timing of these findings is particularly significant, coming on the heels of another recent Quinnipiac poll that showed the Democratic Party struggling with overall favorability. The Republican Party, by comparison, enjoyed a near-even split in public perception with a 45-43% unfavorable rating — their best showing since November 2008.

These numbers reflect broader trends in the national political mood. The poll indicates that 40% of Americans are either "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with the country's direction — the highest level of satisfaction recorded since September 2019. This surge in optimism appears to be bolstering Republican positions on various policy fronts.

The dramatic swing in congressional approval ratings mirrors historical patterns but with unprecedented intensity. During previous periods of unified government control, both parties typically saw approval ratings from their base hover around 40%. The current numbers suggest a more fundamental shift in public perception of the two major parties.

Democratic strategists face a particularly challenging road ahead. Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee chairman, recently acknowledged in a memo that the party has lost ground with working class voters and increasingly faces perception issues as the "party of elites" — a criticism that appears to be reflected in these polling numbers.

The survey's findings arrive at a crucial moment as both parties prepare for upcoming legislative battles. With Republicans holding a slim majority in the House and the Senate preparing to advance major policy initiatives, these approval ratings could significantly influence legislative strategy and political messaging in the months ahead.

With a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, these numbers represent more than just a temporary fluctuation — they suggest a substantial realignment in how Americans view their congressional representatives and their respective parties' ability to govern effectively.

In a striking revelation that underscores the shifting political landscape, Congressional Democrats have hit a historic low in public approval — while their Republican counterparts are enjoying unprecedented support according to recent polling data.The latest Quinnipiac University poll, conducted between February 13-17 with 1,039 registered voters, paints a stark picture for Democrats in Congress. With a mere 22% approval rating and a towering 68% disapproval, Democrats are facing what polling analyst Tim Malloy describes as "a sobering slap down of historic proportions."Perhaps most concerning for the Democratic leadership is the erosion of support within their own base. The data reveals that Democratic voters themselves are turning against their representatives, with 49% expressing disapproval of their party's congressional performance — a remarkable sign of internal discord.Meanwhile, Congressional Republicans have achieved their highest approval ratings since Quinnipiac began tracking these metrics in 2009. At 40% approval and 52% disapproval, the GOP's net negative of -12 points stands in sharp contrast to the Democrats' devastating -46 point deficit."Their Republican counterparts take a victory lap as the Democrats try to get their footing," Malloy noted — a statement that captures the dramatic power shift in Washington.The timing of these findings is particularly significant, coming on the heels of another recent Quinnipiac poll that showed the Democratic Party struggling with overall favorability. The Republican Party, by comparison, enjoyed a near-even split in public perception with a 45-43% unfavorable rating — their best showing since November 2008.These numbers reflect broader trends in the national political mood. The poll indicates that 40% of Americans are either "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with the country's direction — the highest level of satisfaction recorded since September 2019. This surge in optimism appears to be bolstering Republican positions on various policy fronts.The dramatic swing in congressional approval ratings mirrors historical patterns but with unprecedented intensity. During previous periods of unified government control, both parties typically saw approval ratings from their base hover around 40%. The current numbers suggest a more fundamental shift in public perception of the two major parties.Democratic strategists face a particularly challenging road ahead. Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee chairman, recently acknowledged in a memo that the party has lost ground with working class voters and increasingly faces perception issues as the "party of elites" — a criticism that appears to be reflected in these polling numbers.The survey's findings arrive at a crucial moment as both parties prepare for upcoming legislative battles. With Republicans holding a slim majority in the House and the Senate preparing to advance major policy initiatives, these approval ratings could significantly influence legislative strategy and political messaging in the months ahead.With a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, these numbers represent more than just a temporary fluctuation — they suggest a substantial realignment in how Americans view their congressional representatives and their respective parties' ability to govern effectively.