- In spite of record job growth, more people believe jobs have been lost than have been created in the last year.
- However, most Americans find statements about low unemployment rates and job creation statistics to be the most credible, the most likely to benefit their communities, and the best indicators of economic recovery.
- While just half of Americans are hearing about Biden and Democrats’ new economic plan, a majority support it.
Personal Financial Situation Seen as Far Better Than State of Overall Economy
On a separate question, a majority say they feel the economy is getting worse (55%), while just 20% say it is staying the same, and 19% say the economy is getting better.
Pluralities Say the U.S. Has Experienced More Job Loss Than Job Creation in Last Year
Nearly half of economically persuadable Americans (48%) say that more jobs were lost than created last year.
Unemployment Rate, Job Creation, & Economic Growth Seen as Most Likely To Help Community, Credible, Indicators of Recovery
Across three metrics – helpfulness to people in their community, credibility, and indication of the economy improving – low unemployment rates, job creation, and economic growth are strongest overall.
Americans Report Financial and Political Stresses as Top in the Last Couple of Years
For Democrats, top stresses have been political, pandemic-related health stresses, and global stresses; for Republicans, it has been financial and political.
Young Americans, Parents, Democrats, Vaccinated, and Those With Underlying Health Issues Most Stressed on Health
On pandemic-related health stresses, younger Americans, parents, Democrats, vaccinated Americans, and those with underlying health conditions have been most stressed; on overall mental health, younger Americans, parents, and Democrats stand out.
Just Over Half of Americans Are Hearing About Biden and Democrats’ New Economic Plan
Just 40% of independents and 47% of economically persuadable Americans report hearing about the new economic legislation proposed by Biden and Democrats in Congress.
Majorities Support Biden and Democrats’ New Economic Plan
When including the $1.75 trillion price tag, as well as universal pre-K, Medicare covering hearing, and lower drug prices, 60% support, including 86% of Democrats and 50% of independents. Dropping the price tag and universal pre-K, while adding in clean energy, drives support up to 66%, including 89% of Democrats, 59% of independents, and 42% of Republicans.
Nearly a Quarter of Americans Are Economically Persuadable, Disapproving of Biden on Economy But Supporting BBB
With one in four Americans being economically persuadable, those that are especially likely to be in this group include moms (37%), not very conservative Republicans (35%), and non-Fox News Republicans (35%). Other groups like to be economically persuadable include white women and women under 55 years old, service industry workers, rural Americans, and independents.
When Sharing How the Economic Plan Will Be Paid for, Nearly Two in Three Americans Support It
A majority of independents support the plan when describing how it will be paid for (58%), as do nearly two in five Republicans (38%).
Majorities Support Biden Administration Initiative to Crack Down on Rising Meat Prices
Over half of independents (55%) and a plurality of Republicans (47%) support the Biden administration’s plan to invest in independent meat and poultry processors to reduce prices.
Four in Five Continue to Say Grocery Costs Are Going Up While There Is a Major Uptick in Perceived Gas Price Increases
While a consistent 78% of Americans feel the price of groceries are “going up significantly,” there has been an 11-point increase in the share who say the price of gas is “going up a lot” since early February (from 66% to 77%).
At Least Four in Five Find a Range of Messaging About Large Corporations Raising Costs and Causing Inflation Concerning
Among independents and economically persuadable Americans, more than four in five find each message concerning – whether each focuses on large corporations bragging about record profits, artificially increasing the cost of goods, or lining their pockets.
The Strongest Rebuttal to Republican Criticisms of Spending and the Economy Focus on Biden’s New Economic Plan’s Policies
When testing a range of messages against a conservative criticism that Biden and Democrats are failing on the economy and government spending, the message that puts progressives in the lead focuses on policies in Biden’s new economic plan.
About The Study
This release features findings from national online surveys of 1,395 registered voters conducted February 17-22, 2022. Additional interviews were conducted among 100 Hispanic voters, 100 African American voters, 100 independents without a partisan lean, and 75 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.
