Americans prefer spending cuts to tax increases to reduce the deficit

A recent poll by Gallup, conducted Sept. 2-16 of this year, reveals that Americans have stark preferences on how to address the federal budget deficit, with a general inclination toward spending cuts rather than tax increases.

However, support for raising taxes on high-income Americans and reforming the tax code is also significant, especially among Democrats and independents.

Overall preferences for deficit reduction

According to the poll, 49% of U.S. adults believe that Congress should reduce the deficit primarily or exclusively through spending cuts (27% "mostly" and 22% "only").

On the other hand, only 17% support resorting mainly or exclusively to tax increases, while 27% prefer a balanced combination of both strategies.

These results align with historical trends observed by Gallup at times of fiscal stress, such as in November 2012, before the "fiscal cliff," and in 2011, during federal debt limit negotiations. On both occasions, the majority also favored spending cuts, although the preference for a combined approach has been notable in the past.

Sharp partisan divisions

Preferences for deficit reduction vary significantly by political affiliation. Republicans show a clear tilt toward spending cuts, with 38% exclusively supporting this measure and 42% mostly favoring it.

In contrast, Democrats tend to prefer a more balanced approach: 41% support a combination of spending cuts and tax increases, while 28% are inclined to prioritize tax increases and 21% for spending cuts.

The independents, meanwhile, reflect a stance closer to the national average, with preferences distributed among the three options.

On the other hand, Republicans show majority support for measures such as imposing tariffs on imported products (89%), making significant changes to programs such as Medicaid and food assistance(75%), cutting spending on programs unrelated to Defense, Social Security or Medicare(72%), and reforming Social Security and Medicare programs (56%).

These proposals, however, have limited support among independents (no more than half) and even less among Democrats (26% or less).

Historical trends and the government shutdown

The Gallup poll was conducted at a time of intense fiscal disagreements between Republican and Democratic lawmakers, culminating in a government shutdown on Oct. 1 and still ongoing.

While Republicans insist on spending cuts, Democrats advocate an approach that combines tax increases, especially for the wealthiest, with spending adjustments.