Most Americans back the idea of a special prosecutor to investigate and clear up allegations of untoward relations between the campaign of now-President Donald J. Trump and Russia, according to a new poll.

The CNN/ORC poll found that 65 percent of respondents believe an "independent special prosecutor should be appointed." Democratic leaders including Senate Minority Leader Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., have called for such an inquiry. Nearly a third of respondents, 32 percent, said "Congress is capable of handling," while 3 percent expressed no opinion.

But a majority of Republicans say Congress can handle the matter, given the choice between the two options.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said last week that the decision to appoint a special prosecutor is up to the executive branch. But he emphasized that the intelligence community should take the lead on looking into the matter, and touted that Congress has already begun taking action.

"Both the House and the Senate intelligence committees are beginning their investigations right now. We've had one for a while. We're increasing the scope of the investigation," Ryan said. "We think the intelligence community is the right place to do it."

Overall, 55 percent of respondents to the CNN/ORC poll say they are at least somewhat concerned by allegations of Trump campaign contacts with Russia.

Last week was widely judged as a mixed political week for the president. He delivered a very well-received address to Congress, but that reception was quickly distracted from by a Russia-related scandal engulfing Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The president is reportedly upset with his senior aides for not better containing the story.

Controversies aside, the president saw his approval rating tick up one point from last month, according to CNN/ORC, from 44 percent to 45 percent.

The economy appears to be the president's strongest issue, with 55 percent approving of his handling of it.

The poll also had some results on Vice President Mike Pence. The former Indiana governor enjoys a 47 percent favorable rating, while 37 percent those polled had an unfavorable view him. Not everyone, though is familiar with Pence: 10 percent had never heard of the vice president, CNN/ORC reports. Six percent registered no opinion.