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 - 22h -
German voters shift to the right in Sunday’s elections
Centre-right leader Friedrich Merz set to become Germany’s next chancellorFinancial Times - 16h -
Why some German voters embraced the far right
Concerns over the economy may have contributed to the increasing number of votes for the far-right party during Germany's national election. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.CBS News - 7h -
Emery: 'Support' vital for 'fantastic' Rashford
Unai Emery said Marcus Rashford's performance off the bench in Aston Villa's 2-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday was "fantastic."ESPN - 1d -
Oilers' Draisaitl And McDavid Score The NHL's Most Important Points The Most Often
Man, it’s uncanny how Edmonton Oilers teammates Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are always together. They’re best buddies off the ice. In fact, Draisaitl met his fiancee because she’s childhood ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Ranking the New M.L.S. Kits, From the Most Popular to the Most Disorienting
The next season of Major League Soccer is here, and so is a new batch of uniforms for every team.The New York Times - 2d -
The Most Elite Athletes in the N.F.L. Draft
A receiver who squats 600 pounds and a 350-pound lineman who runs 18.75 miles per hour headline this list.The New York Times - 3d -
Carville: Trump polling 'collapse is already underway'
Democratic strategist James Carville said Thursday that President Trump's poll numbers are declining, claiming "the collapse is already underway." Speaking on Fox News's "Hannity," Carville said ...The Hill - 3d -
The Latest: Polls open in Germany in crucial general election
German voters are heading to the polls for a national electionABC News - 1d -
Angry voters confront Republican congressman over DOGE cuts at town hall
Republican Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia faced boos and jeers at a town hall Thursday night. His constituents, including Democrats, were angry over the Department of Government Efficiency slashing ...CBS News - 2d -
'Tyranny is rising in the White House': Voters slam representatives on Trump, DOGE
Some Republicans are facing pushback in their hometowns as President Donald Trump and DOGE makes severe cuts across the federal government.ABC News - 2d -
AfD voters must not be 'marginalized and excluded,' co-leader warns
Yahoo News - 1d -
German Voters Took Note of Election Interference by Trump Administration Officials
Several voters took note of a speech by Vice President JD Vance this month, when he told European leaders to stop shunning parties deemed “extreme.”The New York Times - 1d -
Republicans Face Angry Voters at Town Halls, Hinting at Broader Backlash
After a monthlong honeymoon for the G.O.P. at the start of President Trump’s term, lawmakers are confronting a groundswell of fear and disaffection in districts around the country.The New York Times - 22h -
Voters flock to political extremes in Germany as the centrist parties stumble
Both the far-right Alternative fuer Deutschland and the far-left Die Linke saw significant gains and were the most popular parties among young people.CNBC - 9h -
Details on judge's allowance of government layoffs
A federal judge has refused to stop President Trump's mass firings, saying unions representing those workers have to take their claims to the Federal Labor Relations Authority. CBS News senior ...CBS News - 3d -
Supporters gather to pray for Pope Francis outside hospital
Romans gathered again outside Gemelli Hospital, placing flowers and candles and offering prayers for Pope Francis. The pontiff has been in the hospital nearly a week with pneumonia. Seth Doane ...CBS News - 3d -
Outcry as Trump withdraws support for research that mentions ‘climate’
US government stripping funds from domestic and overseas research amid warnings for health and public safety. The Trump administration is stripping away support for scientific research in the US ...The Guardian - 3d -
Lab-Grown Meat Gains Support in Nebraska
Proposal to ban lab-grown meat in Nebraska gets pushback from ranchers and farm groups.Inc. - 3d -
PM announces £200m support fund for industrial site
Sir Keir Starmer's announcement comes ahead of the refinery's planned closure this summer with the loss of more than 400 jobs.BBC News - 1d -
5 Secrets to a Successful Agency Partnership
Insights on avoiding pitfalls when collaborating with an agency.Inc. - 4d -
Agencies push back on Musk ultimatum
Elon Musk and DOGE sent an email to federal employees demanding they list five things they worked on in the past week, saying failure to respond would be taken as resignation. But multiple agency ...CBS News - 20h -
Watch: EastEnders actors share their most iconic scenes
The actors who play Ian, Cindy, Tracey and Alfie glance back through 40 years of TV history.BBC News - 4d -
This country was just named the most relaxing destination on Earth
Yahoo News - 3d -
John Oliver loves performing stand-up most
Comedian John Oliver tells 60 Minutes that performing stand-up is his "favorite place to be" and explains why bombing on stage is helpful for comedians.CBS News - 21h -
Government finances in surplus but pressure builds on Reeves
Chancellor faces a rising challenge to keep her tax and spending plans on track after missing forecasts.BBC News - 3d -
DOGE Sparks Surveillance Fear Across the US Government
The US government has increased the use of monitoring tools over the past decade. But President Donald Trump’s employee purges are making workers worry about how their data could be abused.Wired - 3d -
Judge allows Trump's government workforce cuts to continue
A federal judge will allow the Trump administration's cuts to the government workforce to continue after declining a request from labor unions for relief. The judge says he lacks jurisdiction and ...CBS News - 3d -
Why Republicans are at odds about how to fund the government
The Republican-controlled Senate adopted a $340 billion budget blueprint. Next week, the GOP-led House will advance its own proposal. There are some differences in strategy, and President Trump ...CBS News - 2d -
Trump touts efforts to reshape government in CPAC speech
President Trump spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, marking his first address to the conservative gathering since the beginning of his second ...NBC News - 1d -
China government spending on citizens lags economic peers
Relatively low expenditure that directly supports individual consumption could undermine growth effortsFinancial Times - 1d
More from The Hill
-
On IVF, Trump’s team should proceed with extreme caution
President Trump has directed his Domestic Policy Council to develop recommendations to lower costs and reduce barriers to IVF, but experts have expressed concerns about the complexity and ethics of ...The Hill - 19m -
OPM tells HR leaders that response to Musk is 'voluntary'
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) informed agency leaders that employee response to an email asking for a recap of what they accomplished this week is voluntary and that failure to do so ...The Hill - 28m -
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joining Columbia University as fellow
Mike Pompeo, President Trump’s secretary of State in his first term, is joining Columbia University as a fellow starting in March. He will be joining the Institute of Global Politics as a ...The Hill - 40m -
Republican files article of impeachment against judge who ordered agencies to restore scrubbed data
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) on Monday introduced an impeachment resolution against a federal judge who ordered federal health agencies to temporarily restore online datasets scrubbed as part of the ...The Hill - 40m -
Trump’s Russia policy is a dangerous anachronism
This anachronism imposes on the contemporary world a scheme of the two spheres of control, one of which does not actually exist.The Hill - 49m
More in Politics
-
'We paid': Macron corrects Trump when he suggests Europe is offering Ukraine a loan
During a meeting in the Oval Office, French President Emmanuel Macron corrected President Donald Trump when he suggested that Europe offered a loan to Ukraine. Macron responded by correcting Trump, ...NBC News - 15m -
On IVF, Trump’s team should proceed with extreme caution
President Trump has directed his Domestic Policy Council to develop recommendations to lower costs and reduce barriers to IVF, but experts have expressed concerns about the complexity and ethics of ...The Hill - 19m -
Trump says tariffs on Canada and Mexico are 'on time, on schedule'
During a White House press conference, President Trump told reporters that his administration would move forward with planned tariffs on Canada and Mexico.NBC News - 23m -
OPM tells HR leaders that response to Musk is 'voluntary'
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) informed agency leaders that employee response to an email asking for a recap of what they accomplished this week is voluntary and that failure to do so ...The Hill - 28m -
Trump and Macron discuss way forward for Ukraine and Russia at press conference
President Trump and French President Macron held a joint press conference at the White House that largely centered around the ongoing negotiations to end the war in Ukraine after Russia's invasion ...NBC News - 32m