ICYMI: McLaughlin Poll Finds Voters Want Democrats to Compromise with Republicans to End Government Shutdown and Extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits

Battleground District Survey Finds GOP Congressional Majorities At Risk Without Urgent Action to Protect Hardworking Americans from Looming Health Care Tax Hike

Last week, Americans for a Balanced Budget (ABB) released new polling by John McLaughlin of McLaughlin & Associates, who “has worked on President Trump’s three campaigns and has drawn acclaim from the commander-in-chief.” The survey highlights that voters, including critical swing and Trump voters, want Democrats to compromise with Republicans to reopen the government, allowing lawmakers to work together to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits and keep coverage affordable.

The survey, conducted across key battleground districts, underscores the political peril of allowing these critical health care tax credits to expire. Voters see the credits as vital tax relief for hardworking Americans and small business owners who purchase health insurance coverage on their own.

Failure to extend the tax credits “could ultimately cost Republicans the House, according to a newly released survey by McLaughlin & Associates, a conservative polling firm that has worked for President Donald Trump,” noted coverage in The Washington Post.

“Across party lines, voters agree extending the tax credits is the common-sense choice to keep health care costs down and protect middle-class families from higher taxes,” McLaughlin explained following the polling’s release. “With an overwhelming majority of voters supporting the Enhanced Premium Tax credits, this is a unifying issue that cuts across partisan lines and resonates heading into the next election.”

Coverage in The Hill emphasized the survey “highlights the political importance of the tax credits ahead of the midterm elections and the peril facing Republicans who oppose an extension.” Similarly, AP News recently reported that debate over extension of the tax credits “appears to be gaining political strength” heading into next year’s elections and that “President Donald Trump and GOP leaders say they’ll consider extending the enhanced tax credits that otherwise expire at year’s end — but only after Democrats vote to reopen the government.”

Key Findings from the Survey:

• Voters Want Congress to Act: A majority (53% to 36%) say Democrats should compromise with Republicans to reopen the government and extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits to prevent a health care tax hike.
• Congressional Majorities at Risk: A majority of voters (51% to 36%) say they’d be more likely to vote for a Democrat who protects the credits than for a Republican who lets them expire. Among independents, the margin widens to 53%–24%, with an even larger gap among independent women, 66%–13%.
• Bipartisan Support, Particularly Among Critical Swing Voters: 72% of voters, including 72% of Independents, support the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, and nearly three-quarters back the individual marketplace that allows families to compare and purchase plans.
• Relief, NOT Handouts, for Hardworking Americans: By more than 2 to 1 (55%–23%), voters view the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits as tax relief for hardworking Americans — not government subsidies.

“This poll makes it clear: preserving the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits isn’t just good policy — it’s smart politics for Republicans looking to defend their majority in the 2026 midterms,” said Dee Stewart, President of Americans for a Balanced Budget.

The full survey memo from McLaughlin & Associates is available HERE.