- Americans want more focus on jobs, the economy, and inflation, while they see Biden and Congress focusing on the pandemic and Ukraine.
- There are signs of optimism on the pandemic: most feel the worst is over, say they feel the pandemic is mostly over for themselves personally, and are less worried about a range of issues related to the pandemic.
- Few Americans are hearing news about economic progress, but support for Biden and Democrats’ new economic plan is at an all-time high.
Biden’s Ratings on the Economy Remain Underwater, Though He Remains Positive on the Pandemic
Since Biden’s State of the Union, his handling of the pandemic has remained net positive (net +7 in this survey).
The War in Ukraine and Economic Sanctions Dominate Positive News about Biden
While 77% of Democrats say they are hearing “mostly positive” or an “equal mix of positive and negative” about Biden, 50% of independents and just 26% of Republicans say the same.
While Americans See Biden and Congress Prioritizing Ukraine and the Pandemic, They Want Focus on Economy and Inflation
There is a 20-point gap between the share who feel Biden and Congress are most focused on the economy (29%) and who want them to be most focused on the economy (49%); there is a 23-point gap on inflation (25% want focus on it, 48% see focus on it).
- On the economy, there is an 18-point gap for independents (33% to 51%) and 24 points among Hispanics (29% to 53%).
Most Remain Optimistic the Worst of the Pandemic is Over
Majorities of Republicans (67%) and Democrats (52%), and a plurality of independents (46%), agree the worst of the pandemic is over.
- A plurality of Black Americans remain more pessimistic (44%) than optimistic (36%) about the state of the pandemic.
For the First Time in Tracking, Half of Americans Now Say the Pandemic Is Over for Them Personally
Half of Americans now say the pandemic is “mostly” or “completely” over for them personally, up from 47% in early April.
- There has been a 12-point increase in independents saying the pandemic is over for them since our last survey (from 37% to 49%).
Worries on Pandemic Are Down Compared to January, While Highest on Potential Recession
There has been a 9-point decline in worries about new variants (75% “worried” to 66%), a 12-point decline in worries about returning to “pre-pandemic normalcy” (from (77% to 65%), and a 13-point decline in worries on worker shortages caused by coronavirus (81% to 68%).
Overwhelming Majority of Americans Support Additional Funding for Coronavirus Maintenance Efforts
Majorities of Democrats (86%) and independents (64%) are supportive, while Republicans are split (net -1 support).
By Nearly 30-Point Margins, Americans Hearing “A Lot” More About Inflation Than Job Creation or New Coronavirus Cases
Far more Americans report hearing about Will Smith hitting Chris Rock (67% “a lot”) compared to those hearing about economic news. And, while almost half of Americans are hearing “a lot” about negative news on inflation (45%), just 17% are hearing “a lot” about positive news on the falling unemployment rate and only 18% are also hearing “a lot” about a new surge in coronavirus cases.
Only Three in Ten Believe the U.S. Created More Jobs Than It Lost in the Last Year
Pluralities of economically persuadable Americans believe more jobs were lost in the last year (41%) compared to just 21% who say more jobs were created (21%).
Inflation Remains a Sore Subject for Americans, Both on Groceries and on Gas Prices Specifically
Nearly four in five Americans say the cost of groceries are going up “a significant amount” (78%) and that the price of gas is “going up a lot” (76%).
Personal and National Views of Economic Situation Remain Pessimistic
Independents and Republicans are equally pessimistic on their personal financial situation (net -26 “confident”).
Support for Biden’s Economic Agenda Hits All-Time High
Independents support the plan by a 55-point margin and Republicans by a 10-point margin.
Perception of Biden Keeping Promises Increases if New Economic Plan is Passed
Passing the economic plan leads to a net 16-point increase in the share saying Biden has mostly kept his campaign promises (from net 0 to net +16), including net 22- and 20-point increases among independents and Republicans, respectively.
About The Study
This release features findings from national online surveys of 997 registered voters conducted April 14 - 18, 2022. Additional interviews were conducted among 100 Hispanic voters, 101 African American voters, 100 independents without a partisan lean, and 76 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.
