Most Americans want the newly elected Democratic-majority US Congress to take action to end the war with Iran and repeal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, highlighting public pressure for measures to address the rising cost of living, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll has found.
The four-day poll, which concluded on Monday, found that 71% of Americans supported legislation to end the conflict with Iran, launched by the United States and its ally Israel in February.
The figure included 93% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans.
The Democrats secured their largest majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives since at least 2008 in last week’s midterm elections, delivering a strong rebuke to Trump’s Republicans over rising costs and the unpopular war.
The new Congress will take office on Jan 3.
Meanwhile, 62% of respondents said they would support efforts to repeal import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
The war with Iran has driven fuel prices sharply higher, adding to inflation already fuelled by Trump’s new taxes on hundreds of imported goods.
Trump has defended the military campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He has also argued that tariffs would strengthen American industries by protecting them from cheaper imports.
Democratic leaders have pledged to address the cost of living and push for an end to the war with Iran. Many party members have also vowed to repeal Trump’s tariffs.
Cost of living tops congressional priorities
The poll found strong support for bipartisan cooperation, with large majorities of Americans from both parties saying Trump should make an effort to work with Democrats and that Democratic leaders in the new Congress should also seek cooperation with the president.
Nine in 10 respondents said the cost of living should be a priority for Congress during its first 100 days in office.
Smaller proportions wanted lawmakers to focus on issues such as artificial intelligence regulation, immigration reform and climate change.
Americans divided over impeachment
However, many Americans appeared concerned that Democrats could use their new congressional majority to initiate legal proceedings against Trump.
Some 42% of respondents said it would be bad for the country if the new Congress attempted to impeach Trump, while 33% said it would be good for the country. The remainder were unsure or did not answer.
Democrats remain divided over how to reduce healthcare costs and how aggressively to pursue Trump, including whether to impeach the president or members of his Cabinet.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to face a House impeachment vote this week following a move by a Republican lawmaker.
Trump said after the midterm elections that he would ‘probably’ get along with Democrats. However, he also promoted Stephen Miller, a controversial aide who has described the Democratic Party as a domestic extremist group, to become his new White House chief of staff.
Despite Trump’s approval rating standing at 32%, close to the lowest level of his political career, the poll also found that Democrats remained unpopular among many Americans.
Some 45% of respondents viewed the Democratic Party favourably, compared with 51% who had an unfavourable opinion.
For Republicans, 35% expressed a favourable view, while 60% viewed the party unfavourably.
Asked which party had a better approach to regulating artificial intelligence, 28% chose Democrats and 20% chose Republicans. The remainder were unsure or said neither party had a better approach.
The nationwide online poll surveyed 1,705 US adults and had a margin of error of about two percentage points.
