Voters Want the Government to Continue to Invest in Job Creation
By Ethan Winter
As part of a survey of likely voters nationally, fielded from late July into early August, Invest in America and Data for Progress sought to test support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and a $3.5 trillion investment plan that Democrats in Congress are considering.
We find high levels of support for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, along with its provisions. In addition, we find that likely voters support the $3.5 trillion investment plan Democrats in Congress are currently considering, even when they’re told it’s going to be passed through reconciliation. In addition, both the provisions of this reconciliation package and their pay-fors enjoy majority support from likely voters. Lastly, likely voters want to see continued investments from the federal government in job creation, and this desire currently outpaces concerns about recent price increases or inflation.
Voters Support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework
We find that likely voters support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework by a 40-percentage-point margin. This support extends across self-identified partisanship. Democrats, Independents, and Republicans support it by margins of 72-points, 37-points, and 5-points, respectively.
We also tested support for the individual provisions of the framework, including the dollar figures that the White House provided. We find that all provisions tested enjoy majority support from likely voters. $40 billion for repairing roads and bridges is supported by a 64-point margin. By a 53-point margin, voters support $39 billion to be spent on modernizing transit infrastructure. Rail, port and airport, and transportation upgrades are supported by margins of 46-points, 46-points, and 43-points, respectively. Investments in broadband and low-emission transportation vehicles (e.g., ferries and buses) are backed by margins of 39-points and 34-points, respectively. By a margin of 17-points, likely voters support funding to expand electric vehicle charging stations.
Voters Are in Favor of Passing a $3.5 Trillion Investment Plan Through Reconciliation
By a margin of 40-points, likely voters support the $3.5 trillion investment plan Democrats in Congress are currently considering passing through reconciliation. Democrats, Independents, and Republicans support this proposal by margins of 74-points, 33-points, and three-points, respectively.
We then tested support for some of the proposals Democrats are considering passing through reconciliation. (As dollar figures aren’t finalized yet, these provisions weren’t tested with specific price tags). We find majority support for each of the provisions tested here. Investing in long-term care is the most popular, backed by a margin of 69-points. School and electricity grid modernization are supported by margins of 57-points and 54-points, respectively. By a 33-point margin, likely voters support lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60. Free community college, creating a Climate Conservation Corps, and Universal pre-K are backed by margins of 31-points, 31-points, and 30-points. Last, by a 29-point margin, likely voters support passing a pathway to citizenship through the reconciliation process.
We also tested support for some of the potential ways that Democrats in Congress may pay for their $3.5 trillion investment plan that could pass through reconciliation. Raising income taxes on those earning more than $400,000 a year and increasing the I.R.S.’ enforcement budget are pay-fors both supported by 44-point margins. Increasing the capital gains tax is supported by a 43-point margin. By a 38-point margin, likely voters support increasing taxes on large corporations from a 21 percent rate to a 28 percent rate.
Voters Want to See More Investments in the Economy, Are Not Concerned About Inflation
With the Senate having reached a preliminary agreement on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, we wanted to see if this investment in physical infrastructure would dampen support for further spending. We find that a majority of likely voters (55 percent) want to see investments in things that go beyond physical infrastructure, in areas such as long-term care, expanding Medicare benefits, and funding an expansion of clean energy. This includes both a majority of Democrats (76 percent) and a plurality of Independents (47 percent). While 36 percent want to see more investments, 50 percent would prefer lawmakers focus only on physical infrastructure.
Here, we tested the current goals of the Biden White House, framed against current Republican talking points which center on the need for reigning in government overspending that is, in their view, creating a labor shortage and price spikes. We find that a majority of likely voters (52 percent) agree with the Biden administration process, namely that the focus of Congress should be further investments in job creation, preventing any tax increases on those making less than $400,000 a year, and finding ways to lower prices for consumers. The Biden administration position is supported by a majority of Democrats (70 percent) and a plurality of Independents (45 percent). We again see a division among Republicans, with 35 percent agreeing with the White House’s position and 57 percent wanting to reign in government overspending.
We then tested further investments directly against an argument about inflationary concerns. When asked this way, we find that a majority of likely voters (57 percent) support further investments in job creation. This includes a majority of Democrats (72 percent) and a plurality of Independents (48 percent). Republicans are almost evenly divided, with 44 percent saying they want to see more investments and 45 percent saying we should wait to spend more because of a concern over inflation.
Toplines to this polling can be found here.
Ethan Winter (@EthanBWinter) is a senior analyst at Data for Progress. You can email him at ethan@dataforprogress.org.
Survey Methodology
From July 30 to August 2, 2021, Invest in America and Data for Progress conducted a survey of 1,254 likely voters nationally using web panel respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, and voting history. The survey was conducted in English. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points.