Over half of Americans think Congress is corrupt

With the threat of a government shutdown looming, Americans' faith in their elected representatives is at a new low point, according to a Gallup poll released Monday. The research group reports that over half of Americans think Congress is corrupt, with an entire 79 percent claiming that most members of Congress are out of touch with the average U.S. citizen.

Americans are also more likely than ever to see their own representatives as unworthy of political office: A record 47 percent claim that their own members of Congress are more focused on special interests than constituents' needs.

Gallup further suggests that the resignation of Speaker John Boehner on Friday "could confirm some of Americans' worst impressions of Congress, as it would suggest that simple legislative functions, such as funding the federal government, are enough to thrust the House into leadership turmoil." Congress has an overall approval rating of just 14 percent.

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