Key takeaways
- Support for Biden and Democrats’ new economic plan is vast, with seven in ten Americans in support of it.
- Lowering prescription drug prices and expanding Medicare to include vision, dental, and hearing coverage are the most broadly supported proposals for new economic legislation.
- Nearly three in four say it is urgent that the House and Senate pass this legislation.
Seven in Ten Support Biden and Democrats’ New Economic Legislation
A majority of independents (63%) and a plurality of Republicans (47%) support the legislation.
Those Who Disapprove of Biden’s Economic Handling But Support New BBB Plan Are Moderate, Lower Income, Younger
Groups that are most likely to disapprove of Biden’s handling of the economy but support Biden and Democrats’ new economic plan are less conservative Republicans, lower-earning Republicans, independents, younger Americans, those most recently employed in blue collar work, and those who live in rural parts of the United States.
All Parts of the Plan Are Popular, Especially Medicare Negotiation and Expanding Medicare
Among persuadable Americans who support new economic legislation but disapprove of Biden’s handling of the economy, reducing prescription drug costs and expanding Medicare coverage are the most popular proposals.
Nearly Three in Four Say Passing This Economic Legislation Is Urgent
Among those persuadable Americans who support new economic legislation but disapprove of Biden’s handling of the economy, nearly four in five (78%) say passing this legislation is urgent.
More Than Three in Five Continue to Support This Legislation If Funded By Taxing Wealthy and Corporations
A majority of independents support this plan after hearing the cost and how it’s paid for (56%).
Focusing on Taxing Rich & Corporations and Lowering Costs Both Effective Rebuttals to Criticism
Messaging that focuses on Democrats funding the plan by raising taxes on corporations and the rich is more compelling than lowering costs among independents and economically persuadable Americans.
Highlighting the Impact of the Pandemic, the Wealth Gap, and Rising Costs Are Most Convincing Reasons to Support Plan
Among persuadable Americans who support new economic legislation but disapprove of Biden’s handling of the economy, messaging on lowering costs is most effective.
Americans Are More Pessimistic About the National Economy and Their Personal Financial Situations Than a Month Ago
There has been a 4-point increase in the share who say the national economy is “not so good” or “poor” (from 66% to 70%) and a 6-point increase in the share who are “uneasy” about their personal finances (from 50% to 56%).
About The Study
This release features findings from a national online survey of 1,002 registered voters conducted August 26-30, 2021. Additional interviews were conducted among 105 Hispanic voters, 104 African American voters, 100 independents without a partisan lean, and 77 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.