Americans far from sold on Democrats’ spending plans, polls show

While congressional Democrats work overtime to pass a massive social spending and human infrastructure package, some of the most recent public opinion polling indicates the bill may not have the support of most Americans.

And while specific provisions included in the overall proposal appear to be popular with much of the public, surveys suggest that many people feel the measure won’t improve the economy or positively impact their own lives.

The push by congressional Democrats, who hold razor thin majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate, to pass their spending bill along party lines using a parliamentary process known as reconciliation, comes at the same time they’re trying to approve in the House a separate infrastructure bill that passed the Senate with bipartisan support.

HERE’S WHAT’S IN THE DEMOCRATS’ $1.75 TRILLION SPENDING BILL

Americans were divided (34% to 34%) on whether both bills would help or hurt the economy, according to an ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted Oct. 29-30. About a quarter of those surveyed were unsure of how the measures, which cost roughly $3 billion combined, would impact the nation’s economy.

But when it comes to their own personal finances, more Americans say they’re concerned about potential ramifications from the spending packages. The poll indicated that a plurality of respondents, or about 32%, said the bills will hurt people like them if they become law, compared to a quarter who thought the measures would help them. Nearly a fifth questioned said the bills would make no difference in their lives, with a quarter not sure.   

Even Democrats surveyed were lukewarm about the impact of the spending bills: Only about half, or roughly 47%, said the measures would help people like them. A quarter of Democrats said the bills would have no discernible effect for…