President Barack Obama’s approval ratings on handling the nation’s economy have plunged in the past two months, as he and Republicans in Congress prepare to enter a series of fall budget battles this fall.

According to a Gallup survey released Thursday morning, just 35% of survey respondents approve of how Obama is handling the economy, while 62% disapprove.

That’s down 7 points from June, and it mirrors an overall slump in his approval ratings seven months into his second term. It’s also the lowest number Gallup has found since November 2011 — when the approval-to-disapproval split was 30-67.

Overall, this is the third-lowest economic approval score Gallup has measured for Obama during his presidency.

It harkens back to the aftermath of the first debate over raising the nation’s debt ceiling — something that might repeat itself this fall.

There will also be a confrontation over passing a continuing resolution, which will need to be passed by Sept. 30 to keep the government funded. Some conservative Republicans are threatening a government shutdown unless certain parts of the Affordable Care Act are defunded in the bill. Congressional Democrats are also hoping to roll back sequestration-level funding in certain areas.

The dismal approval ratings for both Obama and Congressional Republicans — whose popularity was at an all-time low three months ago — don't give either side an overwhelming advantage in upcoming debates.

Last weekend in Gallup, Obama's overall approval rating fell to just 41%, its lowest point since Dec. 26-28, 2011. It now stands at 44%.

Here's a look at Obama's approval rating on the economy over time, via Gallup:



