Most voters support having agency focused on government efficiency: Poll

Most voters support having an agency focused on ensuring government efficiency but were split on the current Elon Musk-led department having access to their own personal data and the country’s, according to a new poll.

The Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll found 72 percent of registered voters support such an agency, including almost nine in 10 Republicans, two thirds of independents and six in 10 Democrats. Pollsters found bipartisan support on a few general questions about government expenditures and waste, suggesting a path forward on the issue with support from both parties.

Two-thirds of respondents said the current level of debt for the federal government is unsustainable, and 83 percent said the government should reduce its expenditures rather than raise taxes to lower budget deficits. More than three quarters of respondents said a full examination of all government expenditures should be undertaken rather than not interfering with current contracts and expenditures.

All three questions had clear bipartisan agreement from Republicans, Democrats and independents.

Seven in 10 also said government expenditures are “filled with waste, fraud and inefficiency,” including at least three quarters of Republicans and independents and 58 percent of Democrats.

But partisan splits are exposed on questions concerning more specific plans from the Trump administration and actions from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has been pushing for widespread layoffs across numerous agencies in the federal government.

More than three quarters of Republicans said DOGE employees should have access to all information on government expenditures, while almost 70 percent of Democrats said their access should be limited. Just over half of independents agreed it should be limited.

A clear majority of Democrats and independents, 75 percent and 63 percent, respectively, said DOGE employees shouldn’t have access to sensitive information on Americans who benefit from government programs, including their names, Social Security numbers, addresses and incomes. But 61 percent of Republicans said DOGE should have access to this information.

And respondents were split on whether the court rulings that have limited DOGE’s access to some information were based on the law or partisan politics. A majority of 56 percent, including 67 percent of Democrats and 54 percent of independents, said it was based on the law.

But a slim majority of Republicans, 52 percent, said it was based on politics.

Various federal judges have blocked Musk’s DOGE from accessing data they have sought, the most recent being a judge who blocked the department from receiving information from the Department of Education and Office of Personnel Management.

Mark Penn, the chairman of the Harris poll, told The Hill that the results show that voters yearn for a balanced budget and better government efficiency, believing that wide-ranging cuts are possible.

“There are limits and concerns about data privacy, but [they] overall agree with the goal,” he said.

The Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey was conducted from Feb. 19 to 20 and surveyed 2,443 registered voters. It is a collaboration of the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University and the Harris Poll.

The survey is an online sample drawn from the Harris Panel and weighted to reflect known demographics. The margin of error is 2 percentage points.

—Updated at 1:53 p.m. Eastern

Topics

Germany has voted. But what kind of government will it have?

The country faces weeks or even months of coalition negotiations after no party won a majority. It has been a extraordinary election in Germany, and the result has been keenly awaited around the ...
The Guardian - 1d
German voters head to polls facing world of change as far right waits in the wings

Europe holds its breath as world’s third largest economic power and most populous EU country faces crossroads. German election live – latest updates German voters go to the polls today but it ...
The Guardian - 1d
The Guardian view on Haiti’s deepening crisis: abandoning people when they most need support | Editorial

As security and humanitarian conditions deteriorate even further, the community needs help. A year ago, it seemed that Haiti had hit rock bottom. Violence had exploded and conditions had ...
The Guardian - 1d
10 most interesting teams in free agency: Chiefs, Bears, Vikings & more | Inside Coverage

Jason Fitz and Frank Schwab break down the NFL's biggest free agency storylines.
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Elon Musk Is Focused on DOGE. What About Tesla?

Mr. Musk, one of President Trump’s main advisers, has not outlined a plan to reverse falling sales at the electric car company of which he is chief executive.
The New York Times - 4d
England not solely focused on Russell, says Itoje

We cannot focus solely on Scotland talisman Finn Russell on Saturday despite his pedigree in the Calcutta Cup, says England captain Maro Itoje.
BBC News - 3d
Search for missing woman focuses on running trails

A search into the disappearance of Jenny Hall, who was last seen on Tuesday, enters its third day.
BBC News - 3d
This USAID Program Made Food Aid More Efficient for Decades. DOGE Gutted It Anyways

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network is one of USAID’s most data-driven programs, but its work has been stalled by the Trump administration.
Wired - 5d
Watch: Merz thanks voters as he is greeted with cheers

Christian Democrats leader Friedrich Merz thanks those who placed their trust in the party and him.
BBC News - 23h

Most voters support having agency focused on government efficiency: Poll

Topics

Related

Germany has voted. But what kind of government will it have?

German voters head to polls facing world of change as far right waits in the wings

The Guardian view on Haiti’s deepening crisis: abandoning people when they most need support | Editorial

10 most interesting teams in free agency: Chiefs, Bears, Vikings & more | Inside Coverage

Elon Musk Is Focused on DOGE. What About Tesla?

England not solely focused on Russell, says Itoje

Search for missing woman focuses on running trails

This USAID Program Made Food Aid More Efficient for Decades. DOGE Gutted It Anyways

Watch: Merz thanks voters as he is greeted with cheers

More from The Hill

Warren questions Commerce secretary on Musk access to data on competitors

McConnell suggests Trump has ‘gross misunderstanding’ of Ukraine talks

Coach of top-ranked college basketball team cheers Trump's Bongino pick

Australian treasurer seeking tariff exemption in talks with Bessent

On IVF, Trump’s team should proceed with extreme caution

More in Politics

Live updates: Trump, Macron talk Russia-Ukraine war; Musk email reply now voluntary

Idaho woman forcibly dragged from local Republican town hall by private security

Idaho woman forcibly dragged from local Republican town hall by private security

Trump calls meeting with Macron an "important step" in ending Russia-Ukraine war

Trump calls meeting with Macron an "important step" in ending Russia-Ukraine war