A survey conducted by Monmouth University found a majority of Americans report having a difficult time paying for gas.
Reports of problems paying household expenses overall have increased in the past six months, the same time President Joe Biden’s job ratings have plummeted, the university said Thursday in a news release.
Monmouth conducted the poll from May 5 to 9 via phone with 807 adults in the United States. There is a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, the university said.
The polls showed 58% of people say it’s difficult for them to afford gas for their vehicles. More than half say it is difficult to pay grocery bills (52%), tax bills (51%) and health care deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses (51%).
About 48% say the same about health insurance premiums, and 37% say making their mortgage or rent payment is difficult.
A Monmouth University poll in 2017 found that 62% found it easy to pay for groceries versus 47% easy in 2022.
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OCEAN CITY — Mayor Jay Gillian and his supporters were in the mood for celebration Tuesday night.
The public remains divided over which party it prefers has control in Congress, with Republicans getting 36% of the vote and Democrats 34%. Those who initially said party control doesn’t matter are leaning in favor of the GOP, adding 12% to Republicans and 10% to Democrats.
The combined 48% for Republicans and 44% for Democrats shows a small shift since March (45% Republican and 46% Democrat) and January (50% Republican and 43% Democrat).
About 6 in 10 Americans say it’s very important their party has control of Congress. This metric is slightly higher among those who want Democrats (67%) rather than Republicans (61%) leading Congress.
In March, those who wanted Republican control (64%) were slightly more likely than Democratic supporters (59%) to say party control of Congress was very important. Overall, just 15% of the public approves of the job Congress is doing, down from 21% in March. The disapproval rating is now at 77%
“Congressional party preference hasn’t moved a lot this year, but the issue picture may be coming into focus with the economy and abortion as the top considerations right now,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute. “The importance of abortion coincides with the Supreme Court leak, which means it is hard to tell whether we are seeing a temporary blip or something that will have a major impact in November.”
Americans also were asked to rate how six different policy areas factored into their congressional vote choice. Looking at just those who rate these policies as extremely important finds a fairly even distribution among abortion (35%), immigration (33%), gun control (32%), the economy (31%) and health care (30%). Tax policy (24%) is seen as extremely important by slightly fewer people.
GALLERY: Jeff Van Drew protest in Mays Landing
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally. Mico Lucide, who is running for County Clerk, addresses the crowd.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called “Who is Van Drew” host a “Pre-Ides of March” rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
Gandy On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called “Who is Van Drew” host a “Pre-Ides of March” rally. Linwood resident Jelani Gandy, 22, who is running for Atlantic County Commissioner of District 2.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally. Atlantic County Freeholder Caren Fitzpatrick addresses the crowd.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally. Alloway resident Laurie McGuire listens as several speakers address the crowd.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally. Pitman resident Laurie Facciarossa, listens as speakers address the crowd.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called “Who is Van Drew” host a “Pre-Ides of March” rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
Nancy Merritt, of Swedesboro, and Charlotte Ryan, of Pitman, show their support for the group Who Is Jeff Van Drew? on Sunday in Mays Landing. View more photos and video from the protest at PressofAC.com.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally. Linwood resident Jelani Gandy, 22, who is running for Atlantic County Commissioner of District 2.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally. Linwood resident Jelani Gandy, 22, who is running for Atlantic County Commissioner of District 2.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally. Mays Landing resident Shane Winkler , 21, from Mays Landing.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally. Educator and Atlantic County resident Barbara Rheault addresses the crowd.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally. Frank Bowker, 54 of Upper Twp..
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally. Pitman resident Charlotte Ryan listens as several speakers address the crowd.
031521_nws_vandrew
On March 14 2021, outside of the Mays Landing office of Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a newly formed, bi-partisan group of South Jersey voters called "Who is Van Drew" host a "Pre-Ides of March" rally.
John Russo
Digital producer
I graduated from Rowan University in 2011 where I studied journalism. I covered local high school and college sports at the South Jersey Times and Vineland Daily Journal. I have been a sports reporter with The Press since July 2013
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