A majority of Americans want the newly elected Democratic-controlled Congress to pass legislation ending the war with Iran, a Reuters/Ipsos poll has found.
Some 71% of those surveyed backed congressional action to bring the conflict to an end, including 93% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans. The war, launched by President Donald Trump alongside Israel in February, has contributed to sharply higher fuel prices.
The four-day nationwide poll, completed on Monday, questioned 1,705 adults online and had a margin of error of about two percentage points.
Democrats secured their largest majorities in both chambers of Congress since at least 2008 in the November 3 midterm elections. The new Congress is due to take office on January 3.
Americans also back repeal of Trump tariffs
The survey also found that 62% of respondents would support an effort to repeal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imported goods.
Trump has defended the tariffs as a way of protecting American industry from cheaper overseas products. He has also argued that military action against Iran was necessary to prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Cost-of-living concerns appear to be a significant factor in voters’ priorities. Nine in 10 respondents said economic pressures should be a key focus for Congress during its first 100 days, while Democrats have pledged to tackle prices and seek an end to the Iran conflict.
An earlier Associated Press-NORC poll also found that roughly seven in 10 voters wanted Congress to prioritise ending the war with Iran, suggesting broad public concern across party lines.
Impeachment less popular with voters
Despite the appetite for action on the war and the economy, respondents were less enthusiastic about efforts to impeach Trump. Some 42% said it would be bad for the country if the new Congress tried to remove him from office, compared with 33% who said it would be beneficial.
Democrats remain divided over how aggressively to challenge the president and whether impeachment proceedings should also target members of his administration. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to face a House impeachment vote this week after Republican representative Thomas Massie introduced articles against him.
The poll put Trump’s approval rating at 32%, close to the lowest level of his political career. Democrats were viewed favourably by 45% of respondents and unfavourably by 51%, while Republicans had a favourable rating of 35% and an unfavourable rating of 60%.
The findings indicate that voters want the incoming Congress to concentrate on the war and household finances, while showing less support for an immediate campaign of impeachment against the president.
