Pew: Despite Low Popularity, Republicans Run Even With Dems On Key Issues

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Fewer than a quarter of Americans approve of the job Congressional Republicans are doing, according to new findings from Pew Research Center released on Wednesday, but the party still holds its own with Democrats on the domestic issues currently consuming lawmakers in Washington.

Only 22 percent of Americans said they approve of GOP leaders on Captiol Hill, while Congressional Democrats notch a stronger approval rating of 32 percent. President Barack Obama, meanwhile, topped both groups in the poll with a 51 percent approval rating.

Nevertheless, Republicans run even with Democrats on the economy, immigration and guns. Forty-two percent of respondents said that the GOP would do a better job on the economy, outpacing the 38 percent who gave the nod to Democrats. Republicans claimed a similar advantage on gun control, 42 percent to 39 percent. On the issue of immigration, voters were evenly split: 38 percent went with Republicans, the same percentage that said Democrats would do a better job on the issue.

The public’s trust in the GOP on gun control and immigration may come as something of a surprise, given that much of the party has been steadfast in its opposition to proposals like universal background checks on gun buyers and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants — two measures that enjoy widespread public support.

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