Public's Policy Priorities for 2015 % rating each a top priorityfor Obama and Congress
As views of the economy improve and terrorist threats persist, the public’s policy priorities have changed: For the first time in five years, as many Americans cite defending the U.S. against terrorism (76%) as a top policy priority as say that about strengthening the nation’s economy (75%).
The Pew Research Center’s annual policy priorities survey, conducted Jan. 7-11 among 1,504 adults, also finds that the goal of strengthening the military has increased in importance. Currently, 52% say strengthening the military should be a top policy priority for the president and Congress this year, up from 41% in January 2013.
The survey finds little change over time in many of the public’s other priorities: 67% rate improving education as a top priority, 66% cite securing Social Security, 64% reducing health care costs and 61% securing Medicare.
Public's Policy Priorities for 2015  | % rating each a top priorityfor Obama and Congress  | Terrorism  | 76  | Economy  | 75  | 67  | Jobs  | 64 64 66 67  | Education  | Social Security  | Budget deficit  | Health care costs  | Medicare  | 46 48 48 49 51 52 52 55 57 61  | Re ducing crime  | Poor and needy  | Military  | Immigration  | Environment  | Ra ce relations  | Moral brea kdo wn  | Tax reform  | Energy  | 38 41 42 42 43  | Influe nce of lobbyists  | Transporta to n  | Money in po litics  | Scientific presea rch  | Globa wa urming  | Globa trade  | 30  | Survey conducted Jan. 7-11 2015.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 