Majority support for Medicaid and food stamps funding despite GOP cuts

In recent polls conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, a clear majority of U.S. adults expressed their views on government spending in relation to social safety net programs, including Medicaid and food stamps. The survey indicated that most participants do not believe that federal spending on these programs is excessive, even as they face significant proposed cuts from Republican lawmakers. The disconnection between the Republican agenda and public sentiment highlighted the widespread perception that these essential aid programs are underfunded. Approximately 20% of respondents perceived Medicaid as overfunded, while about one-quarter viewed food assistance programs similarly. Additionally, the poll revealed that most Americans believe key social programs such as Medicare and Social Security also require increased funding. Roughly 60% stated that insufficient government investment is directed towards these areas, contrasting with less consensus over spending on the military and border security. This sentiment is particularly pronounced in the context of an ongoing debate around the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts, which threaten to decrease funding for these vital programs. Despite Republican claims that spending on foreign aid is excessive, a notable 56% of adults surveyed indicated that they feel assistance to other countries receives too much funding. However, there remains a significant partisan divide, with 80% of Republicans agreeing with this viewpoint compared to just one-third of Democrats. As the proposed cuts and restructuring of Medicaid and food stamps loom, their popularity continues to rise amid concerns about the implications for coverage and access to health care for low-income Americans. This growing support for both Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act—now at an all-time high—points to a potential backlash against any changes that could harm vulnerable populations. In summary, the current public discourse revolves around government spending priorities, with growing support for maintaining and increasing funding for safety net programs. Given the political landscape, these findings could signal a critical turning point as lawmakers navigate through proposed spending cuts that may have far-reaching consequences on American families' access to health care and social services.