Welcome to the Politics Desk, your daily source for the latest insights from the NBC News political team covering the White House, Capitol Hill, and election campaigns.
In today’s edition, we analyze key findings from the recent NBC News Decision Desk poll while also exploring Congressional Republicans’ strategies regarding the upcoming funding bill.
— Adam Wallner
New Poll Indicates Challenges Ahead for Republicans
The latest NBC News Decision Desk Poll, conducted over the weekend and powered by SurveyMonkey, sheds light on American sentiments toward President Donald Trump and the current political climate. The poll reveals several troubling signs for Republicans as they prepare for the midterm elections this fall.
Here are three significant takeaways. Firstly, President Trump’s approval ratings continue to decline. The initial Decision Desk polls from his second term showed a consistent approval rating of 45%, with 55% disapproving. However, recent figures have shown a steady decline, with approval now hitting an all-time low of 37% and disapproval rising to 63%—including 50% who strongly disapprove.
Part of this downturn is attributed to a noticeable decline among Republican voters. Trump’s approval rating among his own party has dropped by 4 points since late January, with the proportion of Republicans who strongly approve of his performance falling by 6 points.
Compounding these challenges, the economy has resurfaced as a primary concern for Americans, with inflation topping the list of economic issues. A striking 68% of respondents disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation and the cost of living, a significant increase from previous surveys. Notably, only 73% of Republicans currently approve of Trump’s efforts to address inflation, down 10 points.
Similarly negative sentiments are evident concerning military actions in Iran, where 67% disapprove of Trump’s strategies, including a critical 54% who strongly disagree. Notably, 61% of Americans advocate against further military involvement in Iran.
Pessimism among younger voters is also growing, with 80% of Gen Z respondents (aged 18-29) expressing a belief that the U.S. is headed in the wrong direction—an increase of 12 points since last year’s survey. The shift is particularly pronounced among Gen Z Republicans, who previously felt optimistic about the country’s trajectory.
Voter Sentiment in Maine Senate Race
Analysis by Sahil Kapoor and Jackie Montalvo
Graham Platner, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has garnered attention with his outspoken opposition to President Trump’s military actions in Iran. His disillusionment with the ongoing conflicts resonates strongly with voters discontent with the status quo.
In the competitive Maine Senate race, Platner’s anti-war stance bolsters his campaign, differentiating him from both Democratic rival Janet Mills, who also opposes these military actions, and incumbent Senator Susan Collins, a Republican who has consistently supported Trump’s strategies.
Republicans Discuss Future Funding Strategies
Insight by Sahil Kapur
As Senate Republican leaders prepare to approve a crucial budget resolution this week, significant internal divisions have arisen regarding the extent of a proposed partisan funding bill aimed at supporting ICE and Border Patrol for the next four years. Some lawmakers advocate limiting the focus solely to immigration, while others propose broadening the agenda to include additional Republican priorities, seeing this as potentially their final opportunity to pass major legislation without Democratic input ahead of the midterm elections.
Resolving these internal conflicts is critical for the next phase of funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has faced an unprecedented shutdown lasting 66 days. House Republicans are blocking funding for various DHS components—including the TSA and FEMA—until the Senate resolves its internal divisions.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) may find that passing a simplified budget could enable the DHS bill to advance in the House, potentially leading to an anti-filibuster bill that would allow Republicans to fund agencies without needing Democratic support.
However, if budgetary discussions become contentious, the DHS bill may remain delayed, especially with President Trump issuing an executive order to allocate funds for back pay to TSA workers, leaving the future of their paychecks uncertain.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed a desire to keep the funding bill focused on immigration and border security. Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham conceded that no guarantees are available due to the necessity of securing votes from Republican members, who can only afford to lose three in the upcoming vote.
There is a palpable urgency among certain senators, such as Tommy Tuberville and Ted Cruz, who are pushing for the inclusion of broader funding measures and tax relief provisions. Their strategy underscores the belief that this could be a defining moment for the party, emphasizing the critical need for decisive action before the midterm elections.
