Public's policy priorities for 2018 % who say is a top priority for Trump and Congress
A new national survey by Pew Research Center of 1,503 adults, conducted Jan. 10-15, 2018, finds that strengthening the economy continues to rank among the public’s leading priorities (71% top priority), along with defending against terrorism (73%) and improving the educational system (72%).
However, fewer view the economy as a top priority than did so four (80%) or eight (83%) years ago. Over the same period, the share rating improving the job situation as a top priority also has declined; 62% say this today, its lowest point in a decade. In 2014, 74% viewed the job situation as a top priority and 81% did so in 2010.
Reducing the budget deficit also has declined among the public’s policy priorities. Currently, just 48% say cutting the deficit should be a top policy priority for the president and Congress, down from 63% in 2014. A year earlier, in 2013, the share citing the deficit as a top priority was high as at any point in the past two decades (72%).
Public's policy priorities for 2018  | % who say  | is a top priority for Trump and Congress  | Terrorism  | 73  | Educa tion  | 72  | 71  | Economy  | 68  | Health care costs  | 67  | Social Security  | 66  | Medicare  | Environment  | 62  | Jobs  | 62  | 58  | Poor and needy  | 56  | Reducing crime  | 52  | Ra ce relations  | 49  | Transporta tion  | 49  | Drug ad diction  | 46 47 47 48  | Budget deficit  | Imm higration  | Infuence of lobbyists  | Military  | Clima te change  | 46  | Globa - trade  | 38  | Source: Survey ofu.s adults conducted Jan 10-15 2018  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 