Source : Voice of Russia / 27 Dec 2013

US citizens gave a strict verdict on the 113th Congress as its first year is to close soon. A vast majority of Americans say it has been the worst in their lifetime, according to a new CNN/ORC International poll released Thursday.

Two-thirds of Americans say Congress is the least productive in recent history, with 73 percent saying lawmakers have done nothing to address the nation’s problems, the poll revealed.

People of all demographics — men, women, rich, poor, young and old — feel that way, according to CNN polling director Keating Holland.

"Older Americans — who have lived through more congresses — hold more negative views of the 113th Congress than younger Americans," he said Thursday. "Republicans, Democrats and independents also agree that this has been the worst session of Congress in their lifetimes."

More than 70 percent of people surveyed say this Congress has so far done nothing to address the country’s problems; one in four people disagreed.

The poll also indicates there's little optimism for the future. More than half of people, the poll says, believe neither Democratic leaders nor Republican leaders in Congress will move the country in the right direction.

"Negative attitudes extend to both sides of the aisle: 52 percent believe that the policies of the Democratic leaders in Congress would move the country in the wrong direction; 54 percent say the same about the policies of congressional Republicans," Holland said.

A similar percentage, 54 percent, says President Obama’s policies will not help the country either.

The survey of 1,035 adults was conducted Dec. 16 to Dec. 19 and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percentage points.

The poll comes just a week or so after Congress successfully approved a budget deal for the first time in years.

Less than 60 bills have been passed in this year’s legislative session, CNN notes.

Congress will be in session for even fewer days in 2014 as most lawmakers work on their reelection campaigns for the midterm elections in November.

(with CNN and Politico)