In U.S., Alternative Energy Bill Does Best Among Eight Proposals

PRINCETON, NJ -- Of eight actions Congress could take this year, Americans most favor an energy bill that provides incentives for using alternative energy (83%), an overhaul of the federal tax code (76%), and speeding up withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan (72%).

A smaller percentage of Americans, but still a solid majority at 65%, favor an energy bill that expands drilling and exploration for oil and gas.

The two least popular proposals tested address the illegal immigration issue, with one seeking to expand the rights of illegal immigrants and the other to roll them back. By 55% to 43%, Americans oppose Congress' passing legislation that would give some illegal immigrants living in the U.S. a path to legal status. By a similar margin (54% to 44%), Americans also oppose taking steps to deny automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. whose parents are illegal immigrants.

Americans are about equally divided in their support for (49%) and opposition to (50%) passing stronger gun control laws.

The proposals tested in the Jan. 14-16 USA Today/Gallup poll include some of the actions the new Congress could take, but do not amount to a comprehensive list. The results can be viewed as Americans' support for or opposition to the basic idea of each policy, and not necessarily their backing of particular legislation Congress may pursue. For example, should Congress actually draft legislation to overhaul the federal tax code, Americans could be less supportive than this poll suggests if the specific bill eliminated popular tax deductions.

Of the eight proposals, the alternative energy bill and tax code overhaul ideas show the greatest bipartisan agreement, with 74% or more of each party group favoring these. Majorities of all three party groups also favor faster withdrawal from Afghanistan and expanded exploration for oil and gas, though with less widespread party consensus: Republicans are much less likely to back a speedier withdrawal from Afghanistan and Democrats less likely to endorse increased oil and gas exploration. Slim majorities of all three party groups favor passage of a free-trade agreement with South Korea.

The party groups show the most disagreement on stronger gun control laws and a path to legal status for some illegal immigrants, both of which are favored by most Democrats but opposed by most Republicans.

None of the party groups shows solid support for taking steps to deny automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants, with Republicans most supportive at 51%.

Implications

With Republicans in control of the House of Representatives and Democrats in control of the Senate, it would appear the proposals with the best chances of passing are those that generate strong bipartisan support. That is clearly the case for a bill that would provide incentives for increased use of alternative energy.

While there is strong bipartisan sentiment for overhauling the federal tax code, Republicans and Democrats would likely have very different ideas on how to handle an overhaul, making the odds of passing such legislation unclear.

Though there is less bipartisan agreement on increased oil and gas exploration or a speedier withdrawal from Afghanistan, there may be enough that Congress could pass legislation on these issues if it decides to pursue them.