No Labels Poll: Americans Demand Bipartisan Approach from Congress and Trump Administration
Democrats and Republicans Alike Want Collaboration on Healthcare; 73% of Republicans and 87% of Democrats Want Bipartisan Approach to Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Janunary 23, 2017) — New research on the American public’s policy priorities for the new Congress and incoming Trump administration finds overwhelming support for bipartisan solutions in general and for healthcare in particular.
“Americans made it clear last November that they are tired of business as usual in Washington and want Republicans and Democrats to work together,” said Ryan Clancy, Chief Strategist of No Labels. “Our polling makes it crystal clear: Americans believe a bipartisan process will yield better results.”
A National Call for Collaboration
The public opinion poll, conducted for No Labels by Hudson Pacific, found that 83 percent of the American public thinks laws are more effective when parties compromise and arrive at a bipartisan solution. Only 17 percent think laws are more effective when one party has complete control.
The poll also found that 86 percent of the public — and 74 percent of Democrats — would rather see Democrats work with Republicans to find common ground than see Democrats fight Republicans.
Overwhelming Support Across Parties for Bipartisan approach to healthcare
The public’s near insistence on bipartisanship also applies to healthcare reform, the public’s top policy and spending priority in this poll.
If Congress repeals the Affordable Care Act, 81 percent of Americans think that Republicans should work with Democrats to develop a bipartisan health care solution. Only 19 percent think Republicans should develop their own solution, without Democratic support. Preference for a bipartisan solution is also high among Republicans at 73 percent.
Bipartisanship is a two-way street. Eighty-nine percent think Democrats should collaborate with Republicans to develop a solution. Even among Democrats, 86 percent think Democrats should collaborate with Republicans.
“If Republicans think they have a mandate to reform healthcare without Democratic support, then they have misread the public,” continued Ryan Clancy. “We urge congressional leaders to work together to avoid the same mistake Democrats made on the Affordable Care Act in 2009.”
No Labels Healthcare Discussion
Building on the release of this polling data, No Labels will host a healthcare discussion with economist John Goodman, Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute and founder of the Goodman Institute. The call will take place Friday, January 23 at 11 a.m. Contact Dennis Craig for conference call details.
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About the Survey
Findings from the No Labels/Hudson Pacific research are based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 registered voters. Responses were collected online between January 4 and 7, 2017. Because the survey did not utilize a probability sample, no estimates of sampling error have been calculated.
About No Labels
No labels exists to bring America’s political leaders together to solve our nation’s toughest problems. It is a citizens’ movement forging a New Center in American politics that fights for an inclusive political process and supports policies that advance No Labels’ four core values of Opportunity, Security, Ingenuity and Accountability. No Labels has inspired the creation of an emerging Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus — featuring House Democrats and Republicans — committed to working constructively across the aisle to get things done. On March 1 and 2, 2017 No Labels will host the first-ever Problem Solvers Conference, bringing together 1,000 citizen leaders to seize the momentum of the new administration’s first 100 days.
About Hudson Pacific
Hudson Pacific is a public affairs research and consulting firm which uses data to inform public policy and communications campaigns.