Poll: Voters prefer narrow aid to those hurt by COVID, not sweeping economic restructuring

American voters prefer that lawmakers draft spending program that directly target those most impacted by the coronavirus, rather than broad, sweeping economic restructuring, according to a new Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen.

"As Congress seeks to address the economy, this result suggests that people are looking for programs that address the immediate problems," Rasmussen said. "Just 28% would like to see the economic crisis used as an opportunity (or excuse) for restructuring the economy."

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Just the News Daily Poll

With Scott Rasmussen

As the national debt approaches $27 trillion, Congress says federal stimulus spending must continue due to the pandemic, as Just the News previously reported. The government spent $864 billion more than it took in during June, bringing the deficit to a record $2.7 trillion so far this year.

According to Treasury Department data, the debt held by the public is $20.6 trillion, and the total outstanding national debt is more than $26.5 trillion. In 2019, the U.S. Gross Domestic Product, the total size of the economy, was about $21.4 trillion.

Just the News Daily Poll respondents were asked “In responding to the coronavirus pandemic, should new federal spending be directed only to helping those directly impacted by the shutdown and medical research, or should the federal government launch large new projects to restructure the economy?" They responded as below:

• 45% Spend only to helping those directly impacted by the shutdown and medical research
• 28% Launch large new projects to restructure the economy
• 28% Not Sure

The national survey of 1,200 registered voters was conducted July 16-18, 2020 by Rasmussen, a polling veteran. Margin of sampling error: +/- 2.8% for full sample. 

To see the full demographic cross-tabulations for this polling question, click below:

To see the methodology and sample demographics for this polling question, click below: