67% Say Congress Is Less Ethical Than Most Americans

Publication Date: 04/29/2026 9:45 AM CST

67% Say Congress Is Less Ethical Than Most Americans

Publication: 04/29/2026 9:45 AM CST

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Two thirds of voters (67%) say that most members of Congress are less ethical than most everyday Americans. Just 13% say they are more ethical.
- Another 9% say they are about as ethical as most everyday Americans.
- These totals include a solid plurality (39%) who say most members of Congress are Much Less Ethcial, and just 5% who say they are Much More Ethical.
- There is bi-partisan agreement on this issue: 64% of Republicans say most of Congress is less ethical than most Americans, and 71% of Democrats agree.
On a similar note, 62% say that most members of Congress act in ways that would be considered inappropriate or illegal for anyone else. Just 18% disagree.
- One in five voters (20%) are not sure.
- Again, 66% of GOP voters and 63% of Democrats agree on this issue.
- By a 75% to 19% margin, politically engaged voters (those who talk politics at least most days) say most members of Congress have this double standard.
- Those who are disengaged are only slightly more impressed: 57% they say Congress has this double standard, while 18% disagree and a significant portion (25%) are unsure.

This data is from a Napolitan News Service survey of 1,000 Registered Voters conducted online by Scott Rasmussen, April 27-28, 2026. RMG Research, Inc., conducted the field work for the survey. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.1.