- Half of Americans support raising the debt ceiling, while nearly four in five prefer raising taxes on the rich and corporations rather than cutting programs like Social Security and Medicare to reduce the deficit.
- Detailing that the Republicans’ debt ceiling plan would cut 22% of funding for non-military programs drives up opposition to the plan, as Americans oppose a range of changes to Medicaid, including adding work requirements and cutting Medicaid.
- Highlighting that Republicans’ plan would cut Medicaid for millions of sick kids and seniors is stronger than rebutting the lie that recipients of Medicaid are lazy or are taking advantage of the system.
Democrats Are on Firmer Ground When Talking About Health Care and Retirement Security Versus Debt and Deficits
Independents trust Biden and the Democratic Party much more than the Republican Party on health care (net +16 Biden and Democrats) and “protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid” (net +13).
- Republicans hold an advantage on inflation (net -8 Democrats overall, net -25 among independents), “the national debt and deficit” (net -10 and net -36), and “being fiscally responsible” (net -11 and net -26).
Four in Five Americans Prefer Raising Taxes on Rich Over Cutting Programs Like Social Security & Medicare to Reduce the Deficit
More than seven in ten Republicans (72%) and nearly as many MAGA Republicans* (69%) prefer “raising taxes on the rich and big corporations” over “cutting programs like Social Security and Medicare” in order to reduce the deficit.
Providing Details on Republicans’ Planned Spending Cuts Significantly Increases Opposition to Their Plan
Explaining that the plan “would cut 22% of funding for government programs that are non–military” erodes support from net +2 among Americans overall to net –25 overall.
Americans Continue to Support Raising the Debt Ceiling By Double Digits, Including Independents
A plurality of independents (45%) support raising the debt ceiling (net +16 support now, in line with net +16 in late February), as majorities or pluralities of every racial group also support the move.
Opposition is Far Greater to Cutting Medicaid and Making It Harder to Qualify Compared to Adding Work Requirements
Independents oppose a range of measures related to Medicaid, particularly “making it harder for Americans to qualify” (net –52 support) and “cutting Medicaid” (net –69).
- Majorities of Republicans also oppose “cutting Medicaid” (net –43 support) and “adding more paperwork and bureaucracy” (net –36).
Stronger Medicaid Arguments Focus on Impact of Cuts, Not Litigation of Work Status
Independents are more concerned that the GOP plan “would cut Medicaid that millions of Americans rely on” (net +65 concerning) than that the “proposed Medicaid work requirements are built on the lie that recipients of Medicaid are lazy” (net +33).
When Reminded That Millions Count on Medicaid, Americans Disagree with Arguments for Work Requirements
Republicans are the only partisan or racial group in which a majority support increasing work requirements instead of leaving the program as it is (net –34 leave as is).
About The Study
Global Strategy Group conducted public opinion surveys among a sample of 1,002 registered voters from April 20-April 24, 2023. 102 additional interviews were conducted among Hispanic voters. 79 additional interviews were conducted among Asian American and Pacific Islander voters. 105 additional interviews were conducted among African American voters. 98 additional interviews were conducted among independent voters.