Gallup's 10% approval rating says it is the branch's lowest approval rating in 38 years.

The approval rate for Congress hasn't passed 20 percent in more than a year, according to Gallup, although personal approval ratings for members of Congress tends to be higher.

The low approval ratings are likely linked to a polarized Congress.

Gallup says the partisan gridlock within Congress, Americans' distaste for the institution is entirely bipartisan: Only 11 percent of independents, 10 percent of Republicans, and 9 percent of Democrats approved of the work the branch is doing.

Another poll released this week said that 60 percent of voters agreed that "this is the worst Congress ever."