President Joe Biden and Democrats are getting low marks from the public as they try to get a roughly $2 trillion spending package over the finish line.
It’s a troubling sign for a party that hopes to make the social spending investments the hallmark of their midterm election campaigns next year.
Fewer than half of Americans approve of how they have handled negotiations, and many say they know little to nothing about the bill.
Overall, 36% say they approve of Biden’s handling of the talks, while 41% disapprove. Another 23% say they neither approve nor disapprove, according to The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll.
Fewer than half say they know a lot or some about the proposals.
Ratings of Republicans’ role in the situation are even worse. Just 18% percent approve of how Republicans in Congress are handling negotiations over the spending package, while 49% disapprove.
Republicans, who have been shut out from the talks over the bill, are expected to overwhelmingly, if not unanimously, oppose the Democratic package.
