The Latest on Build Back Better: A Guide for Advocates

October 29, 2021
Bryan Bennett

A strong majority of Americans support President Biden and Democrats’ new economic plan, regardless of a specific price point.

Key takeaways
  • Americans are increasingly rating the economy in a negative light, and three in five say the economy is a top priority.

  • However, just two in five say Biden and Congress are focusing on the economy, and just over half of Americans report hearing about Biden and Democrats’ new economic plan.

  • Still, Biden’s economic plan remains broadly popular when explained, and among persuadable audiences, the most effective ways to frame it are focusing on rewarding work instead of wealth, while lowering everyday costs.

 

A Growing Share Rate the Economy Negatively and Say It Is Getting Worse

Since October 11th, there has been a 7-point increase in the share who say the U.S. economy is getting worse: the greatest increases come from Democrats (9 points, from 27% to 36%) and independents (9 points, 51% to 60%).

While Biden & Congress Are Meeting Americans on Pandemic Priorities, Disconnect Seen on Jobs & Economy

While 60% of Americans say the economy is a top issue for Biden and Congress to focus on, just 38% say they feel Biden and Congress are actually most focused on it. 

One in Five Americans are Economically Persuadable, Disapproving of Biden on Economy But Supporting BBB

A Majority Are Hearing About Biden and Democrats’ New Economic Legislation, Though Persuadables Hearing Less

Just 42% of independents and 40% of economically persuadable Americans* are hearing “a lot” or “some” about the plan.

Roughly Three In Five Support Biden And Democrats’ New Economic Plan Regardless of Specific Price Point

Biden and Democrats’ Economic Plan Remains Broadly Popular With Pay-Fors Explained

Combining our latest data with the two previous waves, among 2020 Biden voters who now disapproveof Biden’s handling of his job overall, 66% support and 23% oppose this plan when pay-forsare explained.

Among Persuadables, Rewarding Work, Not Wealth and Lowering Costs Are Most Effective BBB Lanes

Independents and economically persuadable Americans* each say messaging on rewarding work instead of wealth and lowering everyday costs are the most convincing reasons to support Biden and Democrats’ new economic plan.

Biden and Democrats More Trusted Than Republicans on a Range of Economic Issues

Biden and Democrats have an edge over Republicans overall on deciding the tax rates of millionaires and middle class Americans, the cost of living for working people, and looking out for working people; Republicans have a slight trust advantage on “rebuilding the economy.”

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About The Study

This release features findings from a national online survey of 1,001 registered voters conducted October 22-25, 2021. Additional interviews were conducted among 103 Hispanic voters, 103 African American voters, 100 independents without a partisan lean, and 80 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.