Public Sentiment on Federal Spending: Disconnect Between GOP Agenda and Voter Opinons

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Republican senators weigh President Donald Trump’s substantial bill aimed at cutting federal spending and extending tax cuts, a recent survey reveals a significant disconnect between the GOP’s proposed spending cuts and the views of most U.S. adults. The survey indicates that many Americans do not believe the government is overspending on programs targeted by Republicans, such as Medicaid and food assistance.

Support for Safety Net Programs

According to a poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, there is broad support among Americans for increasing or maintaining funding for essential safety net programs, including Social Security and Medicare. While opinions vary regarding military and border security expenditures, most respondents believe federal spending on foreign aid is excessive.

Demand for Medicaid and Food Assistance Funding

Many Americans perceive Medicaid and food assistance programs as underfunded, despite proposed cuts by Congress. About 50% of U.S. adults assert that “too little” funding goes toward Medicaid, which provides health coverage for low-income individuals and certain disabilities. Similarly, 45% believe that food and nutrition assistance programs, like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), lack adequate funding. In fact, only about 30% of respondents say that these programs receive “about the right amount” of funding, suggesting a strong public sentiment against significant cuts.

Interestingly, while approximately 20% of Americans think Medicaid is overfunded, about 25% feel the same about food assistance programs. Notably, Republicans are more inclined to state that excess funds are being allocated to these programs—46% of Republicans voiced this opinion compared to just 10% of Democrats and independents. Regarding Medicaid, around one-third of Republicans say the government spends “too much.”

Perception of Medicare, Social Security, and Education Funding

Approximately 60% of Americans believe that government funding for Medicare, Social Security, and education is insufficient. This sentiment is particularly strong among Democrats, who overwhelmingly argue for increased funding. Conversely, Republicans tend to be more satisfied with the current funding levels. Only about 10% of Republicans perceive Medicare and Social Security as receiving “too much” funding, while roughly 25% feel this way about education spending. Notably, about half of Republicans argue that “too little” is allocated to Social Security, in contrast to about 70% of Democrats.

Divided Views on Military and Border Security Funding

Opinions are more divided on expenditures related to military and border security. Around 30% of Americans think the government spends “too much” on military efforts, while an equal number say it spends “too little.” Nearly 40% feel that current military spending is “about the right amount.” Interestingly, the Republican viewpoint on border security funding has shifted since January; only 45% now say “too little” is being spent, a decline from 79% earlier this year.

On the other hand, Democratic perspectives on border security have grown increasingly critical, with half now claiming that “too much” is being spent, up from about 30% in January.

Consensus on Foreign Aid Spending

In regards to foreign aid, most Americans concur that the U.S. government allocates excessive funds to assist other countries. The Trump administration has proposed considerable reductions to foreign aid programs, including cuts to global health initiatives and refugee support. Currently, 56% of U.S. adults express the view that the government spends too much on foreign aid, a slight decrease from 69% earlier this year. The divide is notable along party lines, with about 80% of Republicans stating that there is overspending on foreign aid, compared to only a third of Democrats.

This polling data underscores a notable disconnect between the GOP’s proposed budget cuts and the general public’s views on essential social programs, highlighting the challenges ahead as Congress navigates federal spending policy.