Democrats in Congress have hit rock bottom with a mere 19% approval rating from voters, leaving even their own party members in a state of disbelief.

Democrats’ Approval Plummets

Congressional Democrats are facing an unprecedented crisis. According to a July 2025 Quinnipiac University poll, only 19% of registered voters approve of their performance. This low approval rating is the worst recorded by Quinnipiac since 2009, highlighting a dramatic fall from grace. The dissatisfaction is not limited to the general public; a majority of Democratic voters themselves have expressed disapproval. This reflects deepening internal divisions within the party and a broader disillusionment with their leadership. The Democratic Party’s struggles have been mounting since the 2022 midterms when Republicans regained control of the House, and the 2024 presidential election, which saw Donald Trump return to the White House.

‘Flat Out Terrible’: Fewer Than 1 in 5 Voters Approve of Congressional Democrats, New Poll Finds https://t.co/gUpVYKq7FF

— Will (@NoLeftTurns) July 17, 2025

Public confidence in Congress and bipartisan cooperation has been on the decline for over a decade. By 2022, nearly 60% of Americans had expressed no confidence in bipartisan governance, setting the stage for the current political climate. The Republican victories in the 2024 presidential election and the subsequent return of Donald Trump have only intensified the pressure on Democratic leaders to oppose his agenda more forcefully. However, the party appears to be struggling to find a cohesive strategy, with internal strife and dissatisfaction among both voters and leaders.

Internal Struggles and Leadership Challenges

The Democratic Party is experiencing a leadership vacuum, with no clear frontrunner for the 2028 presidential race. Visible fractures between establishment and progressive factions have emerged, further complicating the party’s path forward. The favorability of the Democratic Party has dropped below 30% in other major polls, including those by CNN and NBC News. A Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 62% of Democratic voters want new leadership, underscoring the widespread discontent within the party.

Prominent figures within the Democratic Party, such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, face the daunting task of maintaining party unity amid growing dissent. Progressive factions, led by individuals like Zohran Mamdani, are challenging establishment incumbents and signaling a leftward shift. The recent resignation of Randi Weingarten, a key union leader, from the Democratic National Committee further highlights the dissatisfaction among key Democratic constituencies.

Republicans Seize Opportunities

As Democrats grapple with internal turmoil, Republicans are capitalizing on the disarray to strengthen their position. President Donald Trump, along with House and Senate GOP leaders, are using the divisions within the Democratic Party to their advantage, aiming to bolster their electoral prospects. The recent Quinnipiac poll shows that Republicans are outpacing Democrats in fundraising for House battlegrounds, with ten GOP incumbents raising over $1 million each, compared to just one Democrat.

Quinnipiac polling analyst Tim Malloy described the numbers as “flat out terrible” for Democrats, a sentiment echoed by many political analysts. The lack of endorsements from Schumer or Jeffries for progressive primary winners highlights the rifts between the establishment and progressive wings of the party. The Democratic congressional approval is at a historic low, putting the party’s unity and electoral prospects in jeopardy as they approach the 2026 midterms.

Long-Term Implications

The Democratic Party’s current predicament poses significant short-term and long-term implications. In the short term, Democrats face heightened risk in the 2026 midterms due to low approval and fundraising deficits. Internal divisions may lead to more primary challenges, further weakening party cohesion. In the long term, the leadership crisis could result in significant changes at the Democratic National Committee and in congressional leadership roles.

The party’s inability to present a unified legislative agenda could lead to policy paralysis, further eroding public trust in political institutions. Democratic voters, disillusioned with the party’s direction, may either stay home on election day or support third-party or insurgent candidates. Meanwhile, the Republican Party stands to benefit from the Democratic disarray, both electorally and legislatively.

Sources:

Fox News

RealClearPolling

Statista

Gallup

Quinnipiac University Poll