# Few Americans want the president to bypass Congress in a national emergency

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/politics/few-americans-want-the-president-to-bypass-congress-in-a-national-emergency/

> Indexed question in Politics.

## Reading

Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from September 25 to 30, 2026. During a national emergency, 44.1% of Americans say Congress should keep its usual role in foreign policy and national security, and 35.8% say it depends. Just 14.6% would let the president make more decisions without Congress.

Another 5.6% are not sure. The question asks about foreign policy and national security decisions during a national emergency.

## Topline

Which view comes closer to your own?

Few Americans want the president to bypass Congress in a national emergency.

- Congress should continue to play its usual role: 44.1%
- It depends on the situation: 35.8%
- The president should be able to make more decisions without congressional approval: 14.6%
- Not sure: 5.6%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-09-25 → 2026-09-30
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.5%
- Module: Democracy, Politics, & Participation
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-16](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-16)

## Citation

APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-16](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-16)