Barely eight months into the current term, vast majority of voters say it's time to cut current members of Congress

Natalie Gonnella
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With soaring unemployment, stagnated growth, and the first ever US credit downgrade, it's no surprise that Americans are disappointed with their elected leaders (President Obama included).

And after a tumultuous month of debt debate, barely eight months into the current term, according to Gallup, registered voters are already looking for a change when it comes to the 112th Congress.

In the latest congressional approval poll, just 21% of registered voters feel that most lawmakers deserve reelection - the lowest percentage on record in the 20 year history Gallup has asked this question.

But while Americans' collective view of Congress has rapidly deteriorated, when it comes to their own district, Americans appear far more forgiving (likely due to more localized support). Overall, more than half of likely voters say their Representative deserves re-election. But while this seems more encouraging, Gallup does note that:

Even though a majority believes their own representative should be re-elected, the current percentage is on the low end of what Gallup has measured historically. The lowest readings were 48% in October 1992 and 49% on two occasions in 2010.

As lawmakers ready for their return to Washington in September, with concern growing over the upcoming super committee and the subsequent effects of the S&P downgrade, it will be interesting to see how voters' views will change (for better or worse) as the next phase of the budget battle gets underway.

The full analysis from Gallup's latest congressional poll is available to view here.