October 30, 2006

Abstract: - Many adults in the United States would support an effort by the Democratic Party to increase the country's minimum wage, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 86 per cent of respondents would support this initiative if the Democrats take control of both houses in next month's election.

- Many adults in the United States would support an effort by the Democratic Party to increase the country's minimum wage, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 86 per cent of respondents would support this initiative if the Democrats take control of both houses in next month's election.

In addition, 79 per cent of respondents would welcome the passage of legislation to provide healthcare insurance to those who do not have it, 72 per cent would back allowing Americans to buy prescription drugs imported from other countries, 63 per cent support setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, 63 per cent would implement all of the anti-terror recommendations made by the 9/11 commission, and 51 per cent are in favour of conducting major investigations of the current administration.

Support is lower for other prospective initiatives, such as rejecting U.S. president George W. Bush's nominations for federal judges, repealing the Patriot Act, taking steps to make same-sex marriages legal, increasing federal income taxes, and cutting back on efforts to fight terrorism.

The last time the U.S. Congress raised the minimum wage was 1997, when the minimum rate was increased to $5.15 U.S. an hour. There are currently 16 American states that pay minimum wages that are higher than the federal rate.

On Oct. 5, Democratic California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi discussed some of the possible Democratic policies, saying, "First, as a matter of fairness, we will raise the minimum wage. (...) Second, we will repeal current tax incentives that serve to export American jobs overseas. (...) Third, we will enact targeted tax cuts to spur economic growth and competitiveness for businesses to invest in research and development to promote energy independence, to keep tax rates low for middle-income families, and to make tuition more affordable for all of you."

American voters will renew the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate on Nov. 7.

Polling Data

Suppose the Democrats win control of both houses of Congress in this year's elections and try to do each of the following after they take control in January. Please say whether you would approve of that action.

Increase the minimum wage	86%
Pass legislation to provide health care insurance to those who do not have it	79%
Allow Americans to buy prescription drugs imported from other countries	72%
Set a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq	63%
Implement all of the anti-terror recommendations made by the 9/11 commission	62%
Conduct major investigations of the Bush administration	51%
Reject most of George W. Bush's nominations for federal judges	46%
Repeal the Patriot Act	43%
Take steps to make same-sex marriages legal	39%
Increase federal income taxes	23%
Cut back on efforts to fight terrorism	21%

Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,002 American adults, conducted from Oct. 20 to Oct. 22, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.