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September Capitol Pulse Results: Congress Rejects the Iran War, Gives Itself an F, and Pushes Back on Presidential Power
September’s Capitol Pulse results put Congress’s views on war, institutional performance, presidential power, and artificial intelligence in sharp focus. Across the month, Congress delivered some of its strongest responses of the year: broad opposition to the Iran war, a failing grade for the 119th Congress, overwhelming resistance to presidential control of White House press credentials, and deep skepticism about the future and regulation of AI.
Congress Overwhelmingly Rejects the Iran War
- Yes, fully
- Yes, somewhat
- No, not at all
View data table
| Group | Yes, fully | Yes, somewhat | No, not at all |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 5.67% | 20.49% | 73.84% |
| Democrats | 2.08% | 2.08% | 95.83% |
| Republicans | 9.26% | 38.89% | 51.85% |
The September results show one of the clearest positions of the month: 73.84% of Congress oppose the Iran war , while just 26.16% express some level of support.
The partisan divide is substantial. 95.83% of Democrats oppose the war , compared with 51.85% of Republicans . Republicans are considerably more divided, with 38.89% somewhat supporting the war and 9.26% fully supporting it. Among Democrats, just 4.16% express any level of support.
The result makes opposition to the Iran war one of September’s strongest areas of agreement overall, even as Republicans and Democrats differ sharply in intensity.
Congress Gives the 119th Congress an F
- A
- B
- C
- F
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| Group | A | B | C | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 3.74% | 15.66% | 35.45% | 45.15% |
| Democrats | 3.03% | 9.09% | 24.24% | 63.64% |
| Republicans | 4.44% | 22.22% | 46.67% | 26.67% |
Congress is also sharply critical of its own performance. 45.15% give the 119th Congress an F , the largest single grade, while another 35.45% give it a C. Only 19.40% give the Congress an A or B .
The partisan split is significant. 63.64% of Democrats give the 119th Congress an F , compared with 26.67% of Republicans. Republicans are more likely to give the Congress a C, at 46.67%, or a B, at 22.22%.
Even with that partisan gap, neither party gives the 119th Congress a majority of passing grades.
Congress Rejects Presidential Control of White House Press Access
- Yes
- No
View data table
| Group | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Congress | 18.33% | 81.67% |
| Democrats | 5.71% | 94.29% |
| Republicans | 30.95% | 69.05% |
81.67% of Congress oppose giving presidents the power to choose which news outlets receive White House press credentials , while just 18.33% support giving presidents that authority.
The result crosses party lines, although Democrats are more unified. 94.29% of Democrats oppose presidential control of press credentials , compared with 69.05% of Republicans .
Among Republicans, 30.95% support giving presidents that power. Among Democrats, just 5.71% do.
Congress Is Pessimistic About AI — and Doubts Congress Will Regulate It
- Optimistic
- Neutral
- Pessimistic
View data table
| Group | Optimistic | Neutral | Pessimistic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 18.98% | 24.82% | 56.20% |
| Democrats | 13.64% | 9.09% | 77.27% |
| Republicans | 24.32% | 40.54% | 35.14% |
- Yes, a good amount
- Yes, some
- No
View data table
| Group | Yes, a good amount | Yes, some | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 5.16% | 28.77% | 66.07% |
| Democrats | 4.76% | 38.10% | 57.14% |
| Republicans | 5.56% | 19.44% | 75.00% |
September produced a striking combination of AI results. 56.20% of Congress are pessimistic about AI’s future , compared with 18.98% who are optimistic and 24.82% who are neutral.
The partisan divide is pronounced: 77.27% of Democrats are pessimistic about AI , compared with 35.14% of Republicans.
At the same time, Congress does not expect Congress to do much about AI. 66.07% say Congress will not pass substantive AI regulations during the current Congress , while 28.77% expect some substantive regulations and just 5.16% expect a good amount.
Republicans are particularly skeptical of congressional action, with 75.00% saying Congress will not pass substantive AI regulations , compared with 57.14% of Democrats.
The two results put Congress in an unusual position: a majority is pessimistic about AI’s future, while an even larger majority doubts Congress will enact substantive regulation.
Congress Pushes Back on AI Data-Center Expansion
- Positive
- Neutral
- Negative
View data table
| Group | Positive | Neutral | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 28.63% | 20.33% | 51.04% |
| Democrats | 15.00% | 12.50% | 72.50% |
| Republicans | 42.25% | 28.17% | 29.58% |
Congress is also more negative than positive about the physical infrastructure powering AI. 51.04% view AI data-center expansion negatively , compared with 28.63% who view it positively and 20.33% who are neutral.
The partisan gap is substantial. 72.50% of Democrats view AI data-center expansion negatively , compared with 29.58% of Republicans. Republicans are more evenly divided, with 42.25% viewing expansion positively.
Together with September’s broader AI results, the data show skepticism extending beyond the technology itself to both its future and the infrastructure being built to support it.