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# Public Opinion 

At a Glance 

The Cato Institute’s Project on Public Opinion conducts high quality public opinion surveys, in‐​depth studies, and experiments to investigate what Americans think about important public policy issues, what values and assumptions motivate their beliefs, and how their opinion changes and evolves. Our data‐​driven social science research informs policymakers, opinion leaders, policy experts, journalists and the general public so that they may better understand how public attitudes are shaping America. Project scholars are active members of the American Political Science Association (APSA) and American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and adhere to the highest standards of academic rigor and excellence.

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#### Featured Content 

[![75% of Americans Say Tariffs Will Be Important to Their Vote in the Midterms](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-09/a_clean_infographic_on_a_white_background_a_donut.png?itok=O7nBpDv9)](https://www.cato.org/blog/75-americans-say-tariffs-will-be-important-their-vote-midterms) 

blog 

## [75% of Americans Say Tariffs Will Be Important to Their Vote in the Midterms](/blog/75-americans-say-tariffs-will-be-important-their-vote-midterms) 

By [Emily Ekins](https://www.cato.org/people/emily-ekins) and [Jonah Messinger](https://www.cato.org/people/jonah-messinger) 

74% Say Trump’s Tariffs have Raised Prices; 53% Say Tariffs Have Weakened the Economy, 70% Say the President Needs Congressional Approval to Impose Tariffs

[![Republicans and Democrats agree the president should get Congressional approval before setting tariffs](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-09/tariff%20poll.png?itok=4bXizI0K)](https://www.cato.org/blog/70-say-president-should-need-congresss-approval-impose-tariffs) 

blog 

### [70% Say the President Should Need Congress’s Approval to Impose Tariffs](/blog/70-say-president-should-need-congresss-approval-impose-tariffs) 

By [Emily Ekins](https://www.cato.org/people/emily-ekins) and [Jonah Messinger](https://www.cato.org/people/jonah-messinger) 

Taken together, the findings suggest that voters broadly favor a congressional check on presidential tariff authority.

[![Social Security Administration Field Office img](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2025-12/GettyImages-2207558225.jpg?itok=kRiMd98k)](https://www.cato.org/survey-reports/new-poll-most-americans-expect-social-security-benefit-cuts-third-believe-program) 

Study 

### [New Poll: Most Americans Expect Social Security Benefit Cuts; a Third Believe the Program Won’t Exist When They Retire](/survey-reports/new-poll-most-americans-expect-social-security-benefit-cuts-third-believe-program) 

By [Emily Ekins](https://www.cato.org/people/emily-ekins) and Hunter Johnson 

58% say younger workers get a worse deal than today’s retirees; 71% back creating nonpartisan commission to fix Social Security’s shortfall.

[![elections, american flag](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-03/GettyImages-172928168.jpg?itok=IEmO_ra5)](https://www.cato.org/commentary/proof-most-americans-are-proud-our-nation-despite-all-our-talk-falling-patriotism) 

Commentary 

### [Proof Most Americans Are Proud of Our Nation, Despite All Our Talk of Falling Patriotism](/commentary/proof-most-americans-are-proud-our-nation-despite-all-our-talk-falling-patriotism) 

By [Rikki Schlott](https://www.cato.org/people/rikki-schlott) 

Most normal people who aren’t too steeped in academic theory or social media rage bait have enough sense to realize that this nation is fundamentally a good one.

[![constitution-flag.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2021-12/constitution-flag.jpg?itok=16VtfD80)](https://www.cato.org/blog/gen-z-fails-basic-civics-quiz-america-nears-its-250th) 

blog 

### [Gen Z Fails Basic Civics Quiz as America Nears Its 250th](/blog/gen-z-fails-basic-civics-quiz-america-nears-its-250th) 

By [Jonah Messinger](https://www.cato.org/people/jonah-messinger) and [Emily Ekins](https://www.cato.org/people/emily-ekins) 

This same poll found that 57% of Americans and 60% of Gen Z believe that America has strayed from its founding principles. That drift will likely accelerate if rising generations do not understand the historical experiences that helped Americans recognize the value of those principles.

[View More Related Content](/search/topic/27478) 

##### Project Expert 

[![Emily Ekins](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_mobile/public/2021-01/Emily%20Ekins.jpg?itok=XPGXgdZU)](/people/emily-ekins) 

##### [Emily Ekins](/people/emily-ekins)

Vice President for Policy and Society

[![Jonah Messinger cropped photo](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_mobile/public/2026-07/jonah-messinger.png?itok=F3omaVyj)](/people/jonah-messinger) 

##### [Jonah Messinger](/people/jonah-messinger)

Research Associate