Poll: Voters want Congress to be a check on Trump, trust Democrats more on issues

NPR reports that less than two weeks out from Election Day, voters say they'd prefer to elect a Democrat to Congress over a Republican by a double-digit margin among registered voters (52% to 41%) and likely voters (54% to 42%).[1]According to NPR, only 25% of respondents said it was more important to elect a Congress that will help Trump pass his agenda, compared to 58% who said it was about electing a Congress to act as a check and balance on Trump.[1]NPR says that on issues including tariffs and trade, health care, foreign policy, elections and voting, government spending and social programs, immigration and deportations and artificial intelligence, a majority of those surveyed want a Congress to roll back or act as a check on Trump's stances.[1]The poll found that when voters were asked which party they trust on their personal top issue, NPR reports, Democrats hold a 47-35 advantage, a nearly 10-point jump since May 2025 and the widest gap measured.[1]NPR reports that Trump's job approval sits at near-record lows for his second term, with just 34% approving of his performance and 62% disapproving[1].According to NPR, two of every five voters surveyed said their decision would mostly be a statement against Trump and his agenda, compared to one in five who said it would be a statement of support.[1]NPR says the survey of 2,028 respondents was conducted Oct. 13-19 and has a margin of sampling error of 2.2 percentage points[1].