Voters Demand Relief on Living Costs and Iran War as Midterm Campaigns Enter Final Stretch

New national polling reveals that Americans want Congress to prioritize lower prices, economic stability and an end to the Iran conflict, putting President Donald Trump's economic and foreign policy agenda under intense scrutiny ahead of November's elections.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With just 12 days remaining before the November 3 midterm elections, American voters are delivering a message to Washington: household affordability and the war in Iran must take priority over partisan confrontation and political investigations.

A new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey finds that approximately eight in ten registered voters want the next Congress to make reducing the cost of living one of its highest priorities. Roughly seven in ten say ending the war with Iran deserves similar attention.

The findings, published Thursday, reveal widespread concern about the economic and international challenges confronting the United States as President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans work to defend their governing majorities.

The survey also suggests that voters are more interested in practical policy results than another round of political battles between Congress and the White House.

Only about four in ten registered voters identify investigations into the Trump administration as a high congressional priority, while approximately two in ten say advancing the president's agenda should receive that level of attention.

The numbers reflect an electorate focused heavily on the cost of everyday necessities and the consequences of America's military involvement overseas.

Americans Put Household Affordability Ahead of Washington Politics

The cost of living has emerged as one of the defining issues of the 2026 congressional campaign.

Across the country, households continue to confront financial pressure involving groceries, gasoline, housing, healthcare and transportation.

For working families, small-business owners and retirees living on fixed incomes, rising expenses have become a central consideration when evaluating the federal government's performance.

An earlier AP-NORC survey released October 15 found that 85 percent of voters considered the economy an important issue in determining their midterm vote, while 84 percent identified the cost of living.

The findings indicate that economic concerns extend well beyond traditional party divisions.

Republican and Democratic voters alike want Congress to address affordability, even though they disagree over the policies most likely to deliver relief.

Republicans have emphasized lower taxes, deregulation, expanded domestic energy production and policies designed to encourage American manufacturing.

Democrats have argued for additional measures addressing healthcare expenses, household costs and the economic effects of tariffs.

Those competing proposals will receive renewed attention as voters decide which party should control Congress during the remaining two years of Trump's presidency.

Trump Administration Faces Pressure Over Economic Performance

President Trump returned to the White House promising economic growth, stronger American industry and relief from the inflationary pressures that shaped the previous administration.

His economic program has emphasized tax policy, tariffs, domestic production and regulatory changes.

Supporters argue that these measures are intended to strengthen American businesses, protect domestic industries and encourage investment.

However, recent public opinion research indicates that many voters remain dissatisfied with current economic conditions.

An AP-NORC survey conducted in late September found that 65 percent of American adults attributed persistently high prices more to Trump's policies than to factors outside his control.

The same survey found that only 17 percent approved of his handling of the cost of living.

Those results present a significant challenge for Republicans as they defend their congressional majorities.

The administration's supporters maintain that its economic strategy should be evaluated over a longer period, particularly when considering industrial investment and changes in trade policy.

Critics contend that tariffs and the economic consequences of the Iran conflict have increased financial pressure on consumers.

The debate underscores the difficulty of translating long-term economic objectives into immediate relief for households confronting higher expenses.

Iran War Emerges as Major Concern Across Party Lines

The continuing conflict with Iran has become another major issue influencing the midterm debate.

Approximately seven in ten registered voters surveyed by AP-NORC say ending the conflict should be among the next Congress's highest priorities.

The findings suggest that public concern about the war extends across party affiliations.

Higher energy prices, uncertainty in international markets and questions about the duration of American military involvement have intensified scrutiny of Washington's foreign policy decisions.

Trump's administration has defended its national security approach, while critics have questioned the military strategy, its economic consequences and the scope of presidential authority.

Within the Republican Party, lawmakers and voters have also expressed differing views about America's military commitments.

Some emphasize the importance of confronting threats to American security and protecting U.S. interests overseas.

Others have called for a more limited military role and greater congressional oversight of decisions involving armed conflict.

These differences reflect longstanding debates about national security, executive power and the financial costs of military operations.

The AP-NORC findings indicate that ending the conflict is a shared priority for many Americans, although the survey does not establish agreement on the terms or strategy for achieving that outcome.

MAGA Republicans Remain Focused on Trump's Agenda

The survey also identifies important differences within the Republican electorate.

Approximately six in ten Republicans who identify with the Make America Great Again movement say supporting Trump's agenda should be among Congress's highest priorities.

Among Republicans who do not identify with MAGA, that figure falls to approximately two in ten.

The distinction illustrates how support for the president's broader political program varies within his party.

Nevertheless, Republicans across both groups share substantial concerns about affordability, the Iran war and federal spending.

At least half of MAGA and non-MAGA Republicans identify lowering costs, ending the Iran conflict and reducing the federal budget deficit as important congressional priorities.

These findings suggest that economic and fiscal questions remain significant across the Republican coalition, even among voters who strongly support the president.

For congressional Republicans, the challenge is to address those concerns while maintaining support for the administration's legislative objectives.

Democratic Investigations Rank Below Economic Concerns

The survey also raises questions about how much emphasis voters want the next Congress to place on investigating the Trump administration.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has outlined plans for expanded oversight if his party gains control of the chamber.

Democrats argue that congressional investigations are necessary to ensure accountability and examine executive branch decisions.

However, the AP-NORC findings show that investigations rank below affordability and ending the Iran conflict among the priorities of registered voters overall.

Approximately six in ten registered Democrats consider investigating the administration a high priority.

That support is particularly strong among Democrats who identify with democratic socialism.

About three-quarters of that group favor prioritizing investigations, compared with slightly less than half of Democrats who do not identify with the movement.

The differences reveal a potential challenge for Democratic leaders seeking to balance their oversight plans with the broader electorate's focus on economic issues.

Moderate voters in both parties are also more inclined to favor cooperation between Republicans and Democrats.

The findings do not suggest that congressional oversight lacks public support, but they indicate that voters assign greater urgency to other national concerns.

Federal Spending and National Debt Remain Important

Beyond inflation and foreign policy, the federal budget deficit continues to attract attention.

Approximately half of registered voters want Congress to make reducing the deficit one of its highest priorities.

That concern is particularly relevant as lawmakers debate taxation, government spending, military expenditures and the long-term sustainability of federal finances.

Republicans have frequently emphasized spending restraint and the need to reduce regulatory burdens on the private sector.

Democrats have also proposed deficit-related measures, although the parties differ over tax policy, spending reductions and the appropriate level of federal investment.

The new polling indicates that fiscal responsibility remains important to many Americans regardless of their political affiliation.

At the same time, reducing federal deficits requires difficult decisions involving spending, revenue and the economic effects of policy changes.

Midterm Elections Put Congressional Control at Stake

The November elections will determine whether Republicans retain control of the House and Senate or whether Democrats gain authority over one or both chambers.

For Trump, congressional control will shape the administration's ability to advance legislation involving taxation, immigration, energy and federal spending.

A Republican-controlled Congress could continue pursuing those priorities, although disagreements among lawmakers would remain.

A Democratic-controlled House or Senate could challenge administration proposals, conduct additional oversight and demand different legislative compromises.

Yet the latest polling indicates that many Americans want lawmakers to devote their attention primarily to practical concerns rather than partisan confrontation.

The election is therefore not simply a contest over political leadership.

It is also a test of whether the next Congress can address household expenses, foreign policy uncertainty and the country's long-term fiscal challenges.

Americans Want Results as Election Day Approaches

With the final stretch of campaigning underway, candidates from both parties are facing an electorate concerned about economic security and America's international commitments.

Republicans are emphasizing their proposals involving taxes, energy, business investment and immigration enforcement.

Democrats are campaigning on affordability, healthcare, oversight and criticism of administration policies.

The AP-NORC survey demonstrates that voters' immediate priorities do not always align with the issues receiving the greatest attention in Washington.

Lower living costs and an end to the Iran conflict command broader support than either investigations into Trump or legislative efforts centered specifically on advancing his agenda.

For the president and congressional Republicans, the findings underscore the importance of demonstrating how their policy proposals would address the financial concerns of American households.

For Democrats, they highlight the need to explain how their alternative policies would deliver economic relief while addressing foreign policy and government accountability.

The approaching midterms will determine which lawmakers receive the authority to pursue those competing approaches.

But regardless of which party controls Congress after November 3, the public's message is clear: Americans want Washington to confront the economic and international challenges affecting their daily lives.