Opinion Today
May 29, 2024
Biden, Congress Approval Ratings Persistently Low Megan Brenan, Gallup Less than six months before Election Day, Americans’ approval ratings of President Joe Biden and Congress remain well below average. Biden’s current 39% job rating is on the low end of the 37% to 44% readings he has received since September 2021, and it falls short of his 43% term average. Congress’ latest 13% approval marks its 16th consecutive rating under 21%, the average since January 2021.
More than half of Americans are following election news closely, and many are already worn out Kirsten Eddy, Pew Research Center A majority of Americans say they are closely following news about the 2024 U.S. presidential election, a slightly higher share than in April 2020. At the same time, many people already say they are worn out by so much coverage of the campaign and candidates, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted this April.
US Consumer Confidence Rose in May Conference Board The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® rose in May to 102.0 (1985=100) from 97.5 in April (a slight upward revision). The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—increased to 143.1 (1985=100) in May from 140.6 in April.
SCE Public Policy Survey Shows Consumers’ Increased Optimism about Expansions of Public Assistance Programs Federal Reserve Bank of New York The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Center for Microeconomic Data has released the April 2024 Survey of Consumer Expectations Public Policy Survey, which provides information on individuals’ expectations regarding future changes in a wide range of public policies. Compared to the year prior, the April 2024 survey shows increases in consumers’ expectations regarding expansions in federal student aid, student debt forgiveness and federal welfare programs, and a rise in unemployment benefits and in the federal minimum wage. However, expectations about future tax and fee increases were mixed.
Most AAPI Adults Think K-12 Students Should Learn About Slavery, Racism, Segregation, and the History of AAPI Communities Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research As the country grapples with debates about what should be taught in classrooms, a new AAPI Data/AP-NORC survey reveals strong support among Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults for teaching historical topics such as slavery, racism, and segregation (71%) along with the history of AAPI communities (71%).
