Washington, DC – Today, Real Recovery Now released polling in ten states — Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin — to test support for President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda. Polling found that likely voters support all three elements of this agenda: the American Rescue Plan, American Jobs Plan, and American Families Plan.
Key Findings
- A majority of likely voters in all ten key states support the American Rescue Plan, and largely credit President Biden and congressional Democrats for passing its popular provisions.
- The American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan both enjoy net positive support in all ten states — including when likely voters are told that these plans will be paid for by raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy.
- All the tested provisions of the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan are backed by majorities of likely voters in all these states — including from overwhelming numbers of self-identifying Democrats, majorities of Independents, and generally a third of Republicans.
- Investment in home- and community-based care for seniors and people with disabilities is one of the key drivers of support for the American Jobs Plan — along with upgrading physical infrastructure and replacing lead pipes.
- Paid family and medical leave is the most popular component of the American Families Plan — with at minimum 65 percent support across the ten states polled.
- A majority of likely voters across all ten states support expanding the use of clean energy, including by modernizing the electric grid.
- Bipartisan majorities overwhelmingly view investments in jobs in caregiving, childcare, or long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities as a driver of economic growth, as they allow other family members to enter the workforce.
Rahna Epting, MoveOn, said, “These plans put people first and fundamentally reimagine the scope and potential of our economy. We all know we cannot go back to the world as it was before the pandemic. Things were not great for so many of us and we have an incredible opportunity to climb out of the ruble from the pandemic, and before, and rebuild. These plans create millions of good jobs and provide access to affordable quality childcare. Most importantly we can no longer afford to allow corporations and the wealthiest individuals who profited this last year to continue on this way. It is long past time for them to pay their fair share. Congress must act without delay. Democrats cannot allow Republicans and Mitch McConnell to obstruct progress and must rally to ensure all we have worked for will not be lost. Republicans are more interested in litigating the 2020 election. Time is of the essence.”
Mary Kay Henry, SEIU, said, “This poll is proof of what we know, Americans overwhelmingly support these plans. Voters of all backgrounds are tired of a rigged economy. They’re tired of scraping by while big corporations rake in millions. It’s time for corporations to pay their fair share. It’s time for workers to earn a fair wage of $15/hour. It’s time for working people to be respected. We have to build infrastructure that gets people to work. By making home care the fastest growing job in the country, we can truly transform communities. Home care workers have been there for us; now it’s time for us to invest in them and pass the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan.”
Community Change Action Co-President Lorella Praeli said, “It’s not surprising that voters support investments in our caring economy, especially after so many suffered because our government did not prioritize people. It’s simple — valuing care work, women’s labor rights, paid family leave, affordable child care, poverty-reducing tax credits, a path to citizenship for essential workers — these are all priorities that will get people back into the workforce, keep the economy moving, and lift all of our families up. We are only as strong as the people who make up our economic foundation. Congress must prioritize the caring economy, the people who enable our economy to thrive, as much as any other investments in our recovery and sustainability.”
Ai-jen Poo, Care in Action, said, “Even before the pandemic, care policies were popular because millions were struggling to find home care. This pandemic brought a simmering crisis to a boil as the burden to care for family members fell on women, and particularly women of color. Families need these policies put in place. Working caregivers enable all of us to have a choice to return to work. This poll is evidence that bipartisan majorities agree long-term care options offer opportunities for family members to enter the workforce.”
Sean McElwee, Data for Progress, said, “Key states approve of plans and enjoy net positive support in all 10 states, especially when corporations will be responsible through taxation. The plans are backed by ⅓ of Republicans and a majority of Independents and Democrats. Bipartisanship should be defined by voters not Congress. Biden’s popular agenda has led to investments in homecare for seniors and people with disabilities. Replacing lead pipes and paid family and medical leave are popular in all 10 states. Majority of likely voters support green energy, especially when voters understand it will lead to lower electricity bills. Infrastructure attacks are not working and are falling flat — voters trust Democrats with the healthcare fight for people with disabilities and seniors and voters will be on the side of President Biden.”