Most Americans Disapprove Of Chaotic House Speaker Race—But Most Republicans Are Happy With Process, Poll Finds

Topline

The majority of Americans disapprove of Republicans’ handling of the history-making House speaker election that ended just after midnight Saturday following 15 rounds of votes and high drama on the House floor, according to a new survey that shows Republican voters were mostly in favor of the process even as the GOP struggled to unite behind Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

Key Facts

Most (55%) of the 2,144 adults surveyed by CBS News/YouGov from Wednesday to Friday 4-6, before McCarthy won, said they disapprove of the speaker election process, compared to 45% who said they approve (the poll’s margin of error is 3 points).

Among Republican survey respondents, 64% approve and 36% disapprove of the process, which ended after McCarthy agreed to a significant number of House rules changes his hard-right detractors pushed in what they said was an effort to restore power to the rank-and-file members (respondents who voted Republican in 2022, specifically, were more divided on the issue, with 51% approving and 49% disapproving).

When it comes to McCarthy himself, only 14% of survey respondents have a favorable opinion of him, while 34% have an unfavorable opinion, 19% haven’t heard of him and 32% are neutral—26% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats have a favorable opinion of McCarthy.

The vast majority of respondents, 70%, want House Republicans to prioritize working with Biden and Democrats, as the GOP prepares to launch a series of investigations into the Biden Administration and is expected to try to dismantle his signature policies under a Republican-controlled House.

Republicans are split on their hopes for the House GOP’s approach to dealing with Biden and Democrats: 48% want them to work with the opposing party and 52% want the GOP to challenge Democrats.

Big Number

53%. That’s the percentage of survey respondents who said they paid a lot or some attention to the speaker election.

Tangent

More survey respondents (46%) have a favorable view of the Democratic party versus the Republican party (41%).

Key Background

McCarthy was elected speaker early Saturday morning following 15 rounds of voting, the longest speaker election since before the Civil War. A coalition of about 20 Republicans blocked him from reaching the majority threshold needed to win the election during the initial rounds of voting that began Tuesday, but 14 flipped their votes after McCarthy gave in to a series of demands, including making it easier for the GOP conference to eject the speaker. McCarthy also reportedly agreed to seek caps on discretionary government spending, and to set up a new committee focused on the “weaponization of the federal government.” The drawn-out election reflected divisions within the Republican caucus, which won a narrow 222-212 majority in the House in last year’s midterms, forcing McCarthy to keep both moderate lawmakers and more conservative hardliners in line with only four votes to spare.

Further Reading

Kevin McCarthy Elected House Speaker—Ending Historic Deadlock (Forbes)

Kevin McCarthy’s Concessions: Here’s What He Gave Up To Win House Speakership (Forbes)

This House Speaker Race Is Not Nearly As Chaotic As The Two-Month, 133-Ballot Epic In 1856—When Slavery Was A Core Issue (Forbes)