PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans remain highly critical of the job Congress is doing, but the 19% who approve is up significantly from 14% last month, and the highest in any month since October 2012. Congress' approval rating has exceeded the current 19% on only a few occasions over the last three years, a span that includes the all-time low ratings of 10% in February 2012 and August 2012.

The latest evaluation of Congress comes as the institution is considering President Barack Obama's request that it authorize U.S. military action against Syria in response to reports that the country's leaders used chemical weapons on its citizens. The Sept. 5-8 poll was conducted before Obama's nationwide address about the situation in Syria on Sept. 10, and before he asked Congress to delay a vote to give new Russian diplomatic proposals a chance to work.

In contrast to Congress' ratings, President Obama's overall job approval ratings and ratings on specific issues have not improved in recent weeks. However, his job approval rating, currently at 45% in Gallup Daily tracking, remains much higher than that of Congress. His approval rating for handling the situation in Syria, specifically -- again from the pre-speech Sept. 5-8 poll -- is 31%.

Congress Approval Ratings Better Among All Party Groups

Ratings of Congress are improved among all party groups compared with August. Republicans' approval has increased five percentage points to 18%, independents' ratings have gone up six points to 19%, while Democrats' approval has increased three points to 20%.

Since the middle of last year, Republicans have generally given Congress lower approval ratings than have Democrats or independents. But now Republicans' ratings of Congress are about the same as those of the other party groups.

Implications

Congress' approval rating remains low, and well below the historical average of 33% since Gallup began asking the question in 1974. However, given that Congress' ratings have been almost exclusively below 20% the last three years, its current 19% approval rating seems positive by comparison.

The timing of the recent poll -- closely following the president's request for authorization to use force in Syria -- combined with Americans' opposition to such action suggests that Congress' apparent lack of enthusiasm about this military intervention may be the reason for the increase in its approval rating. Before Obama asked for a delay in the congressional vote, it was unclear whether Congress would authorize military action against Syria, with many more members publicly opposing it than publicly favoring it, and a large number undecided.