Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is placing blame squarely on Democrats as Congress faces a dismal 10 percent approval rating, according to a new Gallup poll, underscoring growing frustration among Americans with Washington’s dysfunction.
Appearing on Fox Business Network’s “Varney & Co.” with host Stuart Varney, Jordan argued that the minority party’s actions—particularly during last fall’s prolonged government shutdown—played a central role in driving public dissatisfaction. That shutdown, one of the longest in recent memory, stemmed from a standoff over Democrats’ push to extend pandemic-era subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act, legislation that has yet to be passed.
Jordan also took aim at the immigration policies of the Joe Biden administration, criticizing Democrats for delaying funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The agency has now operated for more than two months without funding, as Democrats push for changes to immigration enforcement procedures. Those reform efforts follow the fatal shootings of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal officers in Minneapolis earlier this year.
The Ohio Republican argued that these policy disputes and delays have only added to the perception that Congress is ineffective. According to Gallup, the legislative branch has not enjoyed a higher approval rating than disapproval in over 20 years. The last time disapproval dipped below 60 percent was in May 2009, a stark reminder of how long public confidence has been eroding.
Jordan acknowledged that lawmaking is inherently complex, describing it as a “cumbersome process” shaped by the system of checks and balances established by the nation’s founders. While he framed that structure as a strength of American governance, he conceded that it can also lead to gridlock and frustration among voters.
Still, he returned to a familiar refrain, blaming Democrats for what he described as out-of-touch proposals and decisions that have alienated the public. Jordan argued that the policies put forward by the minority party are a key reason Americans have grown increasingly dissatisfied with Congress as a whole.
The Gallup survey, conducted from April 1 to April 15 among 1,001 respondents, found that 86 percent of Americans disapprove of how Congress is handling its job. That figure ties a record high reached on four previous occasions: December 2011, February 2012, November 2013, and November 2015. The numbers paint a bleak picture of an institution struggling to regain trust.
While partisan finger-pointing remains a fixture of Washington politics, the broader trend suggests a deeper problem. Years of legislative stalemates, funding battles, and policy disputes have left many Americans questioning whether their elected representatives can effectively govern. Even as leaders defend the system as intentionally deliberative, the ongoing gridlock continues to fuel frustration.
At a time when global tensions and domestic challenges demand steady leadership, the persistent dysfunction in Congress stands out. The inability to reach consensus on key issues—from healthcare subsidies to immigration enforcement—has reinforced a sense that political battles are taking precedence over practical solutions.
Jordan’s remarks reflect one side of that divide, but the numbers themselves tell a broader story: Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with the institution as a whole, regardless of party. And until lawmakers find a way to move beyond repeated standoffs, that frustration is unlikely to ease.
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