Many adults in the United States express concerns that the federal government is engaging in excessive spending. However, surveys indicate that a significant number, including those identifying as Republicans, feel that crucial government programs like Social Security are underfunded. Currently, President Donald Trump and advisor Elon Musk are advocating for sweeping budget reductions across various federal sectors, focusing on humanitarian assistance, education, and military spending, which may not align with the sentiments of the American populace regarding where cuts should occur.
Polling conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that approximately two-thirds of respondents believe the government is allocating “too little” funding to Social Security and education. Close to 60% of those surveyed also assert that financial support for the impoverished is inadequate. A similar proportion indicates that Medicare, the primary health care program for seniors, is underfunded, and many contend that Medicaid also receives insufficient financial backing. Additionally, about half of the participants believe that border security funding is lacking.
Lawmakers face a persistent predicament: although the majority of adults in the U.S. think essential programs are not receiving enough funding, there is a strong inclination towards overall budget cuts. A March 2023 survey found that 60% of adults believe the federal government spends “too much” in general. This contradicts the views held by many regarding critical domestic programs.
One area of agreement among Americans is the belief that spending on foreign aid is excessive. The 2023 AP-NORC survey indicates that roughly 70% of U.S. adults feel that assistance directed towards other countries is too high. Notably, around 90% of Republicans and just over half of Democrats share this view. Richard Tunnell, a 33-year-old veteran from Huntsville, Texas, voiced his concerns about the U.S. intervening in international issues, emphasizing a need to prioritize problems at home before addressing those abroad. He expressed support for Trump’s “America First” policies, suggesting that domestic issues deserve equal, if not more, attention.
Interestingly, many Americans tend to overestimate the proportion of the federal budget allocated to foreign aid. Research by KFF reveals that the average American believes that about 31% of the federal budget is spent on foreign assistance, while the actual number is closer to 1% or less.
Regarding federal spending on Social Security, polls show that few Americans think it is excessively funded. However, significant differences exist concerning military funding, border security, Medicaid, and assistance programs for the disadvantaged. Approximately a third of adults believe military funding is excessive, while another third thinks it is inadequate, with the final third feeling that the current allocation is appropriate. Most Republicans argue that military spending is insufficient, whereas a smaller fraction of Democrats holds that view.
Jeremy Shouse, a 38-year-old Democrat from Durham, North Carolina, expressed that government programs aiding everyday Americans should receive funding comparable to that of the military. He criticized the current state of funding for programs such as Medicaid, stressing the disparities between military expenditure and domestic assistance funds.
A strong majority of Democrats believe the government is underinvesting in education, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. They are more divided on border security funding, with about 40% claiming it is appropriately funded, while roughly 30% assert it is either excessive or insufficient. In contrast, Republicans typically advocate for increased funding for border security, Social Security, and military programs, with around 80% indicating that border security funding is too low, and about two-thirds expressing similar sentiments regarding Social Security.
The findings were based on a poll of 1,147 adults conducted between January 9 and January 13, utilizing a sample from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be reflective of the U.S. population. The overall margin of error stands at plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
