WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Congress debates legislation on gun control, immigration reform, and the federal budget, it continues to get a vote of no confidence from the American people. Fifteen percent of Americans now approve of the way Congress is handling its job, essentially unchanged from 13% in March and 15% in February. Congress' disapproval rating is 79%.

The current 15% reading, based on an April 4-7 Gallup survey, extends a long-term slump in Americans' ratings of Congress. Congress approval has exceeded 20% only twice in the past two years, and has not been above 25% since November 2009. This month's reading is five percentage points above the all-time low of 10% reached twice last year and is well below Congress' average approval rating of 33% since 1974.

Democrats Slightly More Likely Than Republicans to Approve of Congress

Democrats and independents are now slightly more likely than Republicans to approve of Congress. Democrats' rating edged up to 17% in April from 13% in March, similar to the increase to 16% from 11% among independents, while Republicans' rating slipped to 9% from 15% last month.

All three partisan groups' ratings of Congress have been similarly low since the legislative body came under divided control after the 2010 midterm elections, with the exception of a spike in Democrats' rating prior to the 2012 elections. Rank-and-file Democrats were more likely than Republicans and independents to approve of Congress from February 2009 until the Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives in the 2010 midterms.

Bottom Line

Congress' approval remained low at 15% in April, and is still at the low end of the historical trend. Americans' low approval likely contributes to their overwhelming support for members of Congress to voluntarily return part of their salary as a result of sequestration.

Americans' views of Congress could improve if it passes legislation on gun control and immigration reform in the coming weeks, as aspects of both initiatives enjoy broad public support. However, economic issues such as the lack of growth in general, unemployment, and the federal debt are among the top issues Americans see vexing the country, while they mention gun control and immigration reform less often. Thus, a substantial boost in Congress' approval may ultimately depend on whether the overall economy improves and whether Congress passes legislation to help reduce the federal debt.