National Surveys

After Passage, Two in Three Americans Support the Inflation Reduction Act

August 18, 2022
Bryan Bennett

Two in three Americans continue to support the Inflation Reduction Act following its passage

Key takeaways
  • Following the Inflation Reduction Act’s passage, it has support from two in three Americans.
  • The most supported policies from the Inflation Reduction Act are related to health care costs, including capping insulin costs, lowering prescription drug costs, and giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug costs.
  • Americans say the plan bringing down costs and showing Congress can get something done are the best descriptors, and messaging on the plan moves a majority to say Democrats are focused on the right things and to trust Biden and Democrats over Republicans on a range of economic issues.

The Inflation Reduction Act Earns Support From Two in Three Americans

Nearly two in three independents (64%) and almost two in five Republicans support the plan (35%).

The Share Hearing About the Inflation Reduction Act Has Increased by Double Digits in the Last Two Weeks

However, while 63% of Americans are hearing “a lot” or “some” about the Inflation Reduction Act, the share is much lower among independents (47%) and economically persuadable Americans* (49%).

Three in Five Americans Are More Motivated to Vote Due to the Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act

Democrats are most likely to say that passage of the legislation would make them “more motivated to vote” (64% more motivated). Nearly two in three Black Americans also say it makes them more motivated to vote (63%).

Policies to Bring Down Health Costs – Including Insurance and Drug Prices – Are Most Supported in Inflation Reduction Act

Among independents and Republicans, popular elements include capping insulin costs (77% and 74% support) and out-of-pocket costs (85% and 68%), Medicare negotiating for drug prices (79% and 69%), and tax incentives for domestic manufacturing jobs (76% and 68%).

Bringing Down Costs Seen as Having Most Positive Impact on Community

For economically persuadable Americans*, bringing down energy costs, the prices of prescription drugs, health care costs, and health insurance premiums will have the most positive impact on them and their community.

Lowering Prices Of Prescription Drugs And Other Health Care Costs Seen As Both Most Positive And Believable Impacts

Messaging on the consequences of overturning Roe v. Wade increases the share who say the Democratic Party is focused on the right things by 8 points. On Republicans, it shifts perceptions further underwater, to net -13 (including a 12-point shift among Republicans).

Cost Lowering and Congress Getting Something Done Are Seen as Best Outcomes of the Inflation Reduction Act

Two in five Democrats (41%) say “it lowers costs,” as do 35% of independents, 23% of Republicans, and 39% of Black Americans.

Making the Case That This Plan Lowers Costs Beats Conservative Arguments About Inflation and Liberal Spending

Independents side more with supporters of the Inflation Reduction Act (net +12) as do economically persuadable Americans* (net +22).

Assurance Nobody Earning Under $400,000 Will Pay More in Taxes Does Not Impact Support for Inflation Reduction Act

Three in five Americans support the Inflation Reduction Act when policies that will help pay for the plan are explained, regardless of whether the statement includes the caveat that nobody earning less than $400,000 a year will pay more in taxes (63% versus 60%).

Statements from Supporters About Lowering Drug Prices are More Convincing than Opponents’ Latest Messaging

Progressive statements are more convincing than conservative attacks about the Inflation Reduction Act suggesting it cuts Medicare.

Inflation Reduction Act Messaging Drives Up the Share Who Say Democrats are Focused on the Right Things

Messaging on the policies and outcomes from the Inflation Reduction Act moves Hispanic Americans to say the Democratic Party is focused on the right things by 24 points, white Americans by 18 points, and independents by 16 points.

Biden and Democrats Are More Trusted on a Range of Economic Items After Inflation Reduction Act Messaging

While Biden and Democrats are initially less trusted on rebuilding the economy (net -5 Biden and Democrats) and inflation (net -5), they lead Republicans by 1 point on inflation after Inflation Reduction Act messaging and tie Republicans on rebuilding the economy.

Share

About The Study

Global Strategy Group conducted public opinion surveys among a sample of 1,000 registered voters from August 11-August 14, 2022. 106 additional interviews were conducted among Hispanic voters. 78 additional interviews were conducted among Asian American and Pacific Islander voters. 102 additional interviews were conducted among African American voters. 101 additional interviews were conducted among independent voters.