By Kathleen Hunter, CQ Staff

Public approval of Congress has sunk to its lowest-ever level, according to a poll released Tuesday.

The Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 likely voters showed that just 9 percent believe Congress is doing a good or excellent job. That’s down from 11 percent in June and 15 percent at the beginning of 2008.

It marks the first time the poll has shown approval of Congress in single digits.

More than half — 52 percent to be exact — say Congress is doing a poor job, tying the record high.

The July 1 poll had a three-percentage-point margin of error.

Democrats, who control both chambers, and Republicans wasted no time in blaming each other for the declining approval ratings.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said President Bush has been a drag on public perception of Congress.

“Any time you have a president who is down so, so far in poll numbers, it drags down city council members, it drags down any elected official — including us, and we recognize that,” Reid said, adding that he met Monday night with a group of pollsters and consultants, one of whom put Bush’s approval rating at 11 percent.

That’s significantly lower than other public tracking polls, which recently have registered Bush’s approval rating as hovering around 30 percent.

Reid also cited Senate Republicans’ efforts to block legislation — primarily through the use of filibusters — as a contributing factor for low poll numbers.

But Rebecca Fisher, spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said “it’s embarrassing that Democrats won’t take responsibility for their own inaction and are trying to deflect their failures onto the president.

“Looks like Democrats are experiencing the downside to being the majority party,” she added.

“At the rate we’re going gas prices and Congress’ approval should cross paths any day now,” said Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla.