By TIPP EDITORIAL BOARD, TIPP Insights

Republicans are likely to take control of the House of Representatives, though with a much narrower margin than expected. The Georgia runoff election on December 6 will most likely decide the control of the Senate.

Assuming that Republicans will gain control of at least one chamber of Congress, what do Americans want them to focus on in the first 100 days? The answer to this question can guide the GOP in shaping its legislative agenda.

The recent Golden/TIPP Poll of 1,154 registered voters, taken a few days before the election, can provide guidance. The online survey gave respondents 13 issues and asked them to choose. They were not asked to limit their choice to one issue. On average, respondents picked three.

Thirty-eight percent picked Immigration/border legislation, which took first place. Budget/government funding/government shutdown took the #2 spot with 35%.

Between 20% and 29% of voters chose six issues. Energy legislation (26%) and Abortion legislation (24%) were the top issues in this range. Investigations and hearings about Hunter Biden laptop (23%), Impeach President Biden (21%), and Tax legislation (21%) also got over 20%.

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Under The Hood

Though the data showed stark differences along party lines, there were two exceptions: Immigration/Border legislation and Budget/government funding/government shutdown. Both issues appeared among the top 5 picks across the board.

Democrats (21%), Republicans (56%), and independents (39%) picked the Immigration/Border legislation.

Meanwhile, Budget/government funding/government shutdown is on the minds of 28% of Democrats, 42% of Republicans, and 36% of independents.

Democrats

The data reveals the importance of Abortion legislation to Democrats, coming in as the #1 issue among them. The enthusiasm for the subject among Democrats was responsible for boosting turnout in the midterms on Tuesday.

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On average, the Democrats who took part in the survey picked two issues, lesser than the average of three for all respondents.

As one would expect, Democrats want the GOP to stay away from investigating Democrats. Only 8% would like to Impeach President Biden. Another 10% want Investigations and hearings about Hunter Biden laptop. A similar 10% favor impeaching Biden officials like AG Garland.

Republicans

Republican respondents picked four issues on average, higher than the three for all respondents.

Over one-half (56%) picked Immigration/Border legislation.

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Two out of every five (41%) chose Impeach President Biden, which reflects the polarization in a divided nation. A similar (39%) want the new House to get to work on Investigations and hearings about Hunter Biden laptop.

Over a third want to Impeach Biden Officials like AG Garland (35%) and Impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (33%).

Independents

On average, the 289 independents in the poll sample picked 2.8 issues, closest to the overall average of three issues.

Their top picks were Immigration (39%), Budget (36%), and Energy (30%).

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Hunter Biden laptop (22%) was the only investigation that crossed 20%.

Impeach President Biden (15%) and Impeach Biden officials like AG Garland (13%) did not find many takers.

Irrespective of political leanings, the nation’s security and runaway inflation are issues that all Americans find troubling. Addressing these will put the U.S. on a steadier course.

In the first 100 days, it would be wise for the incoming Republican House to focus on immigration and the budget, two issues important to all Americans.

READ MORE BY TIPP INSIGHTS

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