WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican senators are reviewing President Donald Trump’s significant proposal to cut federal spending and prolong tax reductions. A recent study indicates that a majority of US adults do not believe the government is overspending on programs that Republicans want to minimize, such as Medicaid and food stamps.
Polls conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveal that Americans largely support increasing or maintaining current funding levels for widely favored safety net programs like Social Security and Medicare. Opinions are more split on military and border security expenditures, with many believing that too much is spent on foreign aid.
The polling data reveals a significant gap between Republican policy goals and public opinion regarding domestic programs. For discussion in the upcoming weeks.
Here’s the latest polling information on how Americans perceive federal funding:
Most Americans Favor Increased or Maintained Funding for Medicaid and SNAP
A considerable number of Americans, similar to Congress, view Medicaid and food assistance programs as underfunded, and few feel these programs possess “too much” funding despite suggestions for major cuts to Medicaid and food and nutrition assistance programs. About half of US adults believe that “too little” funding is allocated to Medicaid, the government’s health program for low-income individuals and those with certain disabilities. Poll results indicate that food and nutrition assistance programs like food stamps, SNAP, or EBT cards are reportedly underfunded by approximately 45%. Around three in ten US adults consider the funding for these programs to be “just right,” suggesting a general opposition to significant cuts.
Roughly two in ten respondents claim that Medicaid is overfunded, while about a quarter express similar views on the food assistance program. Republicans are especially prone to say that there is “too much” expenditure on food and nutrition assistance programs compared to Democrats and independents, with 46% of Republicans holding this view versus one in ten Democrats and independents.
As for Medicaid, a smaller percentage of Republicans—around a third—think the government is spending “too much.”
Many Believe Medicare, Social Security, and Education Are Underfunded
Approximately six in ten Americans assert that government funding is insufficient for expanding Social Security, Medicare, or education. While Democrats argue that too little money is allocated to these sectors, Republicans are generally satisfied with the current funding levels.
Very few people consider Medicare, Social Security, and education to be “overfunded.” Only about 10% of Republicans think this concerning Medicare or Social Security, with around a quarter believing that education expenditures are excessive. Regarding Social Security, about half of Republicans feel funding is “too little,” compared to roughly seven in ten Democrats.
Americans Are Divided Over Funding for Border Security and Military
The public is more divided regarding the allocation of government funds for military and border security.
About three in ten individuals feel that military spending is “too much,” while similar proportions suggest it is “too little.” Nearly four in ten believe that government spending is “about right.”
Republicans are significantly less inclined to say that spending is “too little” now than they were prior to Trump’s re-inauguration in January, with 45% currently stating “too little.” AP-NORC poll from January.
Conversely, Democrats are more likely to argue that excessive amounts are spent on border security, with about half expressing this opinion throughout January.
Most Adults Believe Foreign Aid Receives Excessive Funding
The Trump administration has urged Congress to implement significant cuts to foreign aid, including reductions in global health initiatives and refugee resettlement programs.
Foreign aid stands out as an area with more consensus on “too much” federal expenditure. A majority of American adults, 56%, believe the US government is overspending on foreign assistance, a decrease from 69%. AP-NORC poll starting March 2023.
However, a significant partisan divide exists on this issue, with around eight in ten Republicans asserting that too much is spent on foreign aid, in contrast to roughly one-third of Democrats.
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The AP-NORC survey of 1,158 adults was conducted from June 5-9 using samples sourced from NORC’s probability-based Amerispeak panel designed to represent the US population. The margin of sampling error for adults is either plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Source: apnews.com