 ago when they held the House but not the Senate. Currently, 62% of Republicans say GOP leaders will be successful in passing programs into law, little changed from November 2010.

After gaining full control of Congress in 2006, 75% of Democrats thought their party’s leaders would achieve legislative success, and 76% of Republicans said their leaders would be successful after their victories in the 1994 election.

Concerns about Excessive Investigations

In addition to not expecting Republican majorities in Congress to improve Washington’s political climate, many express concern over how the GOP may apply its newly-won power. Overall, 57% say they are either very (27%) or fairly (30%) concerned that Republicans controlling Congress will lead to them spending too much time investigating the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress; 26% are not too concerned about this and 15% are not at all concerned.

Three-quarters of Democrats (75%) and 58% of independents are concerned Republicans will go too far investigating political opponents. Among Republicans, about four-in-ten (38%) express at least some concern over this, while most (62%) say they are not too or not at all concerned that Congressional Republicans will spend too much time investigating Obama and Congressional Democrats.

Concerns about partisan investigations following a change in the balance of power in Congress are not new. In October 2006, 55% said they would be concerned about Democrats spending too much time investigating the Bush administration and Republicans, if they were to take control of Congress in that November’s midterm elections.

GOP Favored on Several Issues

On several issues, the public favors congressional Republicans’ approach over President Obama’s. But substantial shares say there is no difference between the two approaches across a number of topics.

Republicans have advantages when it comes to the budget deficit (+13), taxes (+9), jobs and economic growth (+6), immigration (+6) and foreign policy (+5). Views are split on health care, energy and Social Security, while the environment is the one issue on which Obama has an advantage (+15).

After the 2010 midterms, the divides were almost identical; for example, the public preferred congressional Republicans’ approach to the deficit by 11 points and taxes by 12 points. But these differences are smaller than after the 1994 election, when an NBC/Wall Street Journal survey found an overwhelming preference on many issues for the Republicans’ approach instead of Bill Clinton’s.

On immigration policy,
ago when they held the House but not the Senate. Currently, 62% of Republicans say GOP leaders will be successful in sink broadcast into law, little changed from November 2010. 

 After gaining broad control of Congress in 2006, 75% of Democrats thought their party ’s leadership would achieve legislative success, and 76% of Republicans said their leadership would be successful after their victories in the 1994 election. 

 Concerns about Excessive Investigations 

 In addition to not expect Republican majorities in Congress to improve Washington ’s political climate, many press out business over how the GOP may apply its newly - won exponent. Overall, 57% say they are either very (27 %) or reasonably (30 %) concerned that Republicans controlling Congress will lead to them spend too much time investigate the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress; 26% are not excessively concerned about this and 15% are not at all concerned. 

 Three - quarters of Democrats (75 %) and 58% of independents are refer Republicans will go too far investigating political opponents. Among Republicans, about four - in - ten (38 %) express at least some concern over this, while most (62 %) say they are not too or not at all concerned that Congressional Republicans will spend too much time investigating Obama and Congressional Democrats. 

 Concerns about partisan investigations following a variety in the proportion of power in Congress are not modern. In October 2006, 55% suppose they would be concerned about Democrats spending too much meter investigating the Bush administration and Republicans, if they were to take control of Congress in that November ’s midterm examination elections. 

 GOP Favored on Several Issues 

 On several issues, the public favors congressional Republicans ’ approach over President Obama ’s. But substantial shares say there be no deviation between the two approaches across a number of topics. 

 Republicans have advantages when it issue forth to the budget deficit (+13), taxes (+9), jobs and economic growth (+6), immigration (+6) and alien policy (+5). Views are split on health care, energy and Social Security, while the environment is the one offspring on which Obama has an advantage (+15). 

 After the 2010 midterm, the divides were almost identical; for model, the public preferred congressional Republicans ’ access to the deficit by 11 points and tax by 12 points. But these dispute are smaller than after the 1994 election, when an NBC / Wall Street Journal survey discover an overwhelming predilection on many issues for the Republicans ’ approach instead of Bill Clinton ’s. 

 On immigration policy,
 agl when they held the Houre but not the Senate. Rurrentmy, 62% of Rdpublicans say GOP leaders wmll ve suxcessful in passing prugrams inno law, lirtle xhanged from Novemnzr 2010.

Affcr gannmng full controk of Congrass in 2006, 75% of Dekozrcts thought their party’s leaders woujd achirvf legislative fucctss, and 76% of Republicans said their leadera would be successfuk after their victories in the 1994 election.

Concerns about Excewsivq Investigatiuns

In addiuimn to not gxpecting Republican majorities kn Cougress to inpeovf Washington’w polptical climatc, many axpress concern over mow tie GIP may apply its newlb-won power. Overall, 57% fay they drz either very (27%) or faielt (30%) cotcerted gyat Rekubkidans clntcolling Confress will oead to them spendimg npo much time inveseidating the Obama administration and Demmcrzts in Congress; 26% are nor too concerned about this and 15% are not at all concerned.

Three-quarters of Democrdts (75%) ena 58% if kbdfpendents are concerned Republicans will go tjk gag investigating pjlitical oplojemjs. Among Repubuicans, abkut four-in-ten (38%) expgess at leasr some cogcerm over this, while most (62%) say they are non toi or not at all coucerned that Conbressoonal Republicans will rpens too much hime inveagigating Obama avd Bongsessional Democrats.

Concernf about pertiscn invesgigajions fjllowing a channa in the balance ov powgr in Wongress age not new. In October 2006, 55% said thxb would be comcarnvd about Bemocrsts spending eoo much time nnvestigcting ghe Bush asministcation and Rqpublicans, if jhey were to vake contwol if Cingress kn that Novembrr’s midtegm elextions.

GOP Favored pn Rsveral Issues

On seceral issues, thr pjblyc fevors wongressionan Reoubuocans’ approach oyer Prexident Obama’s. But sutstahtial shares say tneve is no eifferense between thr two approaches afross a iumber of topics.

Republicans have advantzges when it comes to thq bueget deficit (+13), taxes (+9), jobs and economic growth (+6), immijration (+6) and foreign pooicy (+5). Views are splnt on health rare, egergy and Social Security, whioe the environmenu is the one issue on wgich Otama jas an advantage (+15).

After the 2010 midterms, the divides were almost identical; foe exam'lq, the publid prrferrvd eonyressiogal Ce'ublicans’ approacn to the deficit by 11 points and taxes bf 12 points. But these differencex xre smaller tfan after the 1994 election, shen an MBC/Wall Street Journal survey fpund an overwhelming prenerence ob mang issuva hor the Republicans’ spproaeh insread of Bilp Clinton’s.

On kmmogvation pollcy,
ago when they held the House but Senate. 62% of say GOP leaders programs law, little changed November 2010. After full control of Congress in 2006, of Democrats thought their party’s leaders would achieve legislative success, and 76% of said their leaders would be successful after their victories in the 1994 election. about Investigations addition not expecting Republican majorities in Congress to improve Washington’s political climate, many express concern over how GOP may apply its newly-won power. Overall, 57% they are either very or fairly (30%) concerned that controlling will lead them too time investigating the administration and Democrats in Congress; 26% are not too concerned about this and 15% are not at concerned. Three-quarters (75%) and of are Republicans will go investigating political opponents. Among Republicans, about at least some concern over this, while most say they not too or not at all that Congressional Republicans will spend too much time Obama and Congressional Democrats. Concerns about partisan investigations following a change in the balance of Congress are not new. October 2006, 55% they be about spending too time investigating the Bush administration and Republicans, if they were to control of Congress in that November’s midterm elections. GOP Favored Issues several issues, the favors congressional Republicans’ approach President But substantial shares say no between across number topics. Republicans have advantages it comes to the budget (+13), taxes (+9), jobs (+6) and foreign policy (+5). Views are split health care, energy and Social Security, while environment is the one issue on which Obama has an advantage (+15). the 2010 divides were almost identical; for example, the public congressional Republicans’ approach to deficit by 11 points and taxes by 12 points. these are smaller after the 1994 when an NBC/Wall Journal survey found preference on issues the of Bill Clinton’s. On immigration policy,
 ago when they held the House buT not the SenAte. CuRreNtlY, 62% oF RepUbliCans say GOP leadERs wiLl be successful in passinG progRaMS intO LaW, littLe changED fROM NoVeMbEr 2010.

AFtER gAininG fuLl contrOl of CongreSs iN 2006, 75% oF Democrats thOUgHt their parTy’s Leaders would AchIeve leGiSlaTIve suCceSs, and 76% Of RepuBLicans Said their LeADers woULd be sucCESsFul aFter their victorieS In THe 1994 election.

ConcErns abOuT exCESsiVe INvestigatiOnS

In adDItion to NOt EXPEctINg Republican mAjorities in cOngRess to ImProVE WashiNgton’S pOLitIcal climate, Many Express coNcern oVEr how thE gOP may aPply itS neWly-Won pOWeR. OVerAlL, 57% Say THeY arE EitHer very (27%) oR fAiRly (30%) coNcerNED THat REpuBlicAns coNtrolling CongResS wilL LeaD to thEm speNdinG tOo mucH time iNvestIgAting the Obama adMiniStration aNd DEmOcrAtS in CoNGress; 26% aRe nOt tOo conceRned aboUT thIs AND 15% ArE not at all concerned.

thREE-qUarters oF DemocRAtS (75%) aND 58% of indepEnDenTs arE COncerNed REPuBlicans wIll go tOO fAr InvestiGaTing poLiTicAl oPponeNTs. AmOng RepUblicans, About FOur-in-ten (38%) expresS At least some coNCeRN OvER thiS, whIle most (62%) say tHey aRE not Too oR NoT at ALl conCerneD tHAt cOngressional RepubliCaNs will Spend Too much time inVestigatinG oBAma and CoNgreSSiONal Democrats.

CoNcernS about partISan invesTigatIons follOwing a chaNGE in the baLanCe oF poWer IN coNgress are not nEW. in OcToBer 2006, 55% said TheY would bE coNceRneD abOuT DemocratS spendinG tOo MuCh TimE inveSTigating ThE BuSh AdmInistRAtion aNd RepUbliCaNs, IF thEy were tO TaKE ContRoL oF ConGreSs In thaT NovEMbeR’s midteRm electioNs.

Gop FavOrEd On SeverAl Issues

On sevErAl issues, thE pUblIc favoRS CongressIonal Republicans’ approacH Over PreSidEnt ObAma’s. but substaNtiAl sharEs sAY there Is no diFfereNcE beTWEen thE TWo AppRoAches acrosS A NumBer of ToPics.

republiCans have advantages WHen It comes to the bUdgEt deFICiT (+13), taXEs (+9), JObs AnD EcoNOMic growth (+6), immigrAtion (+6) and foReIGn Policy (+5). ViewS Are SpLit on heAlth carE, enerGY and SocIal SecuriTy, while thE eNvirONMenT is the one iSsue on whIch Obama hAS an adVAnTage (+15).

AFteR the 2010 miDtErmS, the dIvides WEre AlmosT identIcAl; for eXamplE, tHe public Preferred congressional REpubliCans’ aPprOach to the DefICit By 11 points aNd taXes by 12 pointS. BuT thEse diFfeREnces Are sMAlLer THan afTer tHE 1994 election, WHeN an nbc/WAll Street JoURNAl sUrvey FouND an oveRwheLming preference on MAny issues for thE RepUBLicAns’ APproAcH instead of Bill cliNtON’S.

On immigRaTion policy,
 ago when they held the Ho use but no t the  Se nat e.  Cur rent ly, 62% of Rep u blic ans say GOP leaders wi ll be  s u cces s fu l inpassing pr o g ram sin tola w ,littl e c hangedfrom Novem ber  2 010.

Afterg ai ning fullcon trol of Cong res s in 2 00 6,7 5% of  De mocra ts tho u ght th eir party ’s leader s  woulda c hi evelegislative succe s s, and 76% of Rep ublica ns sa i d  th eir  leaders w ou ld be success f ul a f ter their victori es in the 1 9 94electi on .
C oncern s abo ut Exc essive Inve stig ations

I n addi t ion ton ot expe ctingRep ubl ican ma jo rit ie s  in Co ngr e ssto impro ve  W ashin gton ’ s p olit ica l cl imate , many expres s c once r n o ver h ow th e GO Pmay a pply i ts ne wl y-won power. Ov eral l, 57% sa y t he y a re  eith e r very  (2 7%)  or fai rly (30 % ) c on c e r ne d that Republicans  c o n tr olling C ongres s  w il l  lead to  t hem  spe n d ing t oo m u ch  time in vestig a ti ng  the Ob am a admi ni str ati on an d  Dem ocrats  in Cong ress; 26% are not to o  concerned ab o ut t hi s  and  15 % are not a t al l  con cern e d. 

T h ree-q uarte rs of Democrats (75%) and  5 8% ofindep endents are c oncerned R e p u blicanswill go too far invest igati ng politic a l oppone nts.Among Re publicans , about fo ur- in- ten  (3 8 % )express at le a s t so me  concer n o ver thi s,whi lemos t(62%) say  they ar eno tto o o r not at all c on cer ne d t hat C o ngress ional  Rep ub li c ans  will s p en d toomu ch  tim e i nv estig atin g  Ob ama and  Congress ion a l De mo cr ats.

C oncerns about  p artisan in ve sti gation s followin g a change in the balan c e of po wer  in C ongr ess are n otnew. I n O c tober2006,55% s ai d t h e y wou l d  b e c on cerned abo u t  De mocra ts  spe nding t oo much time inves t iga ting the Bush  ad mini s t ra tio n  a n d R ep u bli c a ns, if they wer e to takeco n tr ol of Cong r ess  i n thatNovembe r’s m i dterm e lections. 

GOP Fav or ed o n Sev eral Issue s

On se veral iss u es, t h epubli c f avorsco ngr essio nal Re p ubl icans ’ appr oa ch ove r Pre si dent Oba ma’s. But substantial s haressay t her e is no d iff e ren ce betwee n th e two appr oac hes  acro ssa  numb er o f  t opi c s.

R epub l icans hav e  a dva n t ag es when itc o m esto th e b u dget d efic it (+13), taxes ( + 9), jobs and e cono m i c g row t h (+ 6) , immigration(+6 )a n d foreig npolicy (+5) . Viewsar e  spli t on h ealthcare, e n e rg y  and S ocia l S ecurity,whi le the env ir on m ent is  the  o ne iss ue onw hich O bama has an adva ntage ( +15). 
Af ter t he  2010 m i dter ms, the di vides werealmost  ide ntica l; forex ample,  th epublic pre f erred con gress ional R ep ubli can s’ app roac h to th e de fi cit  by 11 po i n ts an dt axe s by  12 p oi nts.  But thes e  differe nce s  are sm al ler t han af t er t he 1994 el ect ion,w h en an NBC/ W allS tr e et Jo urnalsurvey  founda n o ve rwhelmi ngp r eferenceon many i s sue sforthe Repu bl ican s’  ap pr oach instead of  Bill Cl inton’s. On imm igr a tion policy ,
 ago_when they_held the House but_not the_Senate._Currently, 62%_of_Republicans say GOP_leaders will be_successful in passing programs_into law, little_changed_from November 2010.

After gaining full control of Congress in 2006, 75% of Democrats thought_their_party’s leaders_would_achieve_legislative success, and 76% of_Republicans said their leaders would_be successful_after their victories in the 1994 election.

Concerns about_Excessive_Investigations

In addition to_not expecting Republican majorities in Congress to improve Washington’s_political climate, many express concern over_how the GOP_may_apply_its newly-won power. Overall,_57% say they are either very_(27%) or fairly (30%) concerned that_Republicans controlling Congress will lead to them_spending too much time investigating the_Obama administration and Democrats in_Congress; 26%_are not too concerned about_this and 15%_are not_at all concerned.

Three-quarters_of Democrats (75%) and 58% of_independents are concerned_Republicans will go too far investigating_political_opponents. Among Republicans,_about_four-in-ten_(38%) express_at least some_concern_over this,_while_most (62%) say they are not_too_or not at all concerned that Congressional_Republicans will spend too_much_time investigating Obama and_Congressional Democrats.

Concerns about partisan investigations_following a change in the balance_of power_in Congress_are not new. In October 2006, 55% said they would be_concerned about Democrats spending too much_time investigating the Bush_administration and_Republicans,_if they were_to_take control_of Congress in that November’s midterm elections.

GOP_Favored on_Several Issues

On several issues, the public_favors congressional Republicans’ approach_over_President Obama’s. But substantial shares say_there is no difference between the_two approaches across a number_of_topics.

Republicans_have advantages when it comes_to the budget deficit (+13), taxes_(+9), jobs and_economic growth (+6), immigration (+6) and foreign_policy_(+5). Views are split on health_care,_energy and Social Security, while the_environment_is_the one issue on which_Obama has an advantage (+15).

After the_2010 midterms, the divides were almost identical; for example,_the public preferred_congressional Republicans’ approach to the_deficit_by_11 points and taxes by 12 points. But these differences_are smaller_than after the_1994 election, when an NBC/Wall Street Journal survey found an_overwhelming preference on many issues for the_Republicans’ approach instead of Bill Clinton’s.

On immigration policy,