Hotline On Call

Just 13 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing according to a new Gallup poll released early Tuesday, just the latest data point showing the American public's disgust with Washington at record levels in the wake of the contentious debate over raising the federal debt ceiling.

The percentage of Americans who approve of Congress ties a record-low, previously equaled last December. A record 84 percent of Americans now disapprove of the job that Congress is doing.

Just nine percent of independents approve of Congress -- the lowest Gallup has ever recorded for that group -- though the legislative branch earns slightly higher approval ratings among Democrats (15 percent) and Republicans (17 percent).

A separate USA Today/Gallup poll conducted earlier this month showed that only 21 percent of registered voters said most members of Congress deserved re-election, another record low. Both measures raise the specter of a fourth-consecutive tumultuous election for the House and Senate.

The new Gallup poll was conducted Aug. 11-14. Gallup surveyed 1,008 adults, for a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.