{"id":2672999,"date":"2026-09-30T06:54:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T10:54:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-worry-theyve-glossed-over-affordability-concerns\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T06:55:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T10:55:30","slug":"republicans-worry-theyve-glossed-over-affordability-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-worry-theyve-glossed-over-affordability-concerns\/","title":{"rendered":"Republicans worry they\u2019ve \u2018glossed over\u2019 affordability concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frepublicans-worry-theyve-glossed-over-affordability-concerns%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2672999&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Republicans are increasingly worried they failed too address voters&#8217; economic concerns while holding full control of Washington, raising fears of significant losses in the November midterms, with some acknowledging they could lose both chambers to Democrats. Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV), an ally of Trump, criticized the GOP for being tone deaf to everyday voters&#8217; hardships and called for the party to take ownership of its mistakes. Senate Republicans are working at the last minute on policy measures ahead of the election, but many proposals, like efforts to shield households from rising energy costs or ban lawmakers&#8217; stock trading, face opposition or are likely to fail. GOP frustration over legislative efforts and schedule delays hints at potential blame-shifting if Democrats secure a wave victory, which polls suggest is possible. The election outcomes could influence leadership positions, notably those of Thune and Schumer, depending on seat flips. Republicans also blame factors such as higher gas prices linked to the Iran war and perceived neglect of domestic issues, including Trump&#8217;s focus on non-essential projects and controversial campaign-style and taxpayer-funded ads. Some GOP members suggest focusing executive actions on economic issues, like energy costs, while criticizing the White House&#8217;s approach to affordability. Republicans feel limited in their campaign message as Congress leaves town, with many citing internal disagreements and external challenges impacting their chances in November.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"240\">Republicans<\/a> are increasingly worried they failed to address voters\u2019 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/affordability\/\">economic concerns<\/a> while they had full control of Washington, fueling fears that the party could pay a steep price in November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The anxieties offer an early preview of the Monday-morning quarterbacking to come after the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/midterm-elections\/\">Nov. 3 midterm elections<\/a>, in which Republicans increasingly acknowledge they could lose both chambers to Democrats.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<style>.explore-more-section { background: var(--wex-bg); border-top: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; margin: 24px 0; margin-top: -20px; }<\/style>\n<style id=\"mos-26898bb9-3204-4d18-a8bf-f930fb483c15-style\">@scope (#mos-26898bb9-3204-4d18-a8bf-f930fb483c15) { .we-meter {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-text: #323E48;   --we-border: #85A0AB;    max-width: 800px;   margin: 0 auto;   padding: 1.5rem;   border: 1px solid rgba(33, 39, 42, 0.4);   border-radius: 12px;   background: #fff;   color: var(--we-text);   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; }  .we-grid {   display: grid;   grid-template-columns: 1fr 200px;   gap: 1.5rem;   align-items: center; }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 0.5rem;   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\" !important;   font-size: 1.75rem !important;   line-height: 1.1 !important;   letter-spacing: -0.02em !important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-copy {   margin: 0;   font-size: 1rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-actions {   text-align: center; }  .we-cta {   display: flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 8px;   width: 100%;   padding: 12px 16px;   border-radius: 8px;   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: 0.9rem !important;   font-weight: 700 !important; }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.2em !important; }  .we-member {   margin: 12px 0 0;   font-size: 0.85rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 600px) {   .we-grid {     grid-template-columns: 1fr;     gap: 1rem;   }   .we-meter {     padding: 1.25rem;   }   .we-cta {     padding: 14px;   } } }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-26898bb9-3204-4d18-a8bf-f930fb483c15-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-26898bb9-3204-4d18-a8bf-f930fb483c15) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-26898bb9-3204-4d18-a8bf-f930fb483c15\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<section class=\"we-meter\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription meter\">\n<div class=\"we-grid\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Stay informed.<span>Stay ahead.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-copy\">                  Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.       <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-actions\">       <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\/\">         <span>See Options<\/span>         <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>       <\/a>       <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\/\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV), a conservative ally of President Donald Trump, described the GOP as having \u201cglossed over\u201d everyday voters \u201cout here really hurting.\u201d The first-term senator is a millionaire coal tycoon who\u2019s weighing a bid to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4726912\/jim-justice-governor-run-west-virginia-30-days\/\">return to the West Virginia governor\u2019s mansion<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe, as Republicans, can become tone deaf,\u201d Justice told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, citing Trump\u2019s desire to acquire Greenland as an example. \u201cI think we, as Republicans, should own it. This is not to say, \u2018Well, our president screwed up, or Congress screwed up,\u2019 or whatever it may be. We ought to own it. Period.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Senate GOP leadership kept the chamber in session this week after Republicans lobbied for attempts at last-minute policy wins that battleground members can tout on the campaign trail ahead of November. The House departed Washington Sept. 16 and won\u2019t return until after the elections. The Senate\u2019s last pre-election day in session is likely to be Thursday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among the messaging bills being considered this week is a proposal from Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), one of the GOP\u2019s most vulnerable incumbents, to shield households from rising energy costs caused by data centers. Husted\u2019s bill is expected to fail Wednesday due to opposition from Democrats, who say that it lacks enforcement mechanisms.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Likewise, a measure from Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) to ban lawmakers from stock trading and implement portions of a separate Republican voter ID bill will also be shot down by Democrats. Ricketts faces a surprisingly competitive reelection in deep-red Nebraska.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4743625\/the-folksy-senate-republican-in-hot-demand-on-the-campaign-trail\/\">popular campaign surrogate<\/a> for battleground Senate candidates, said that Republicans should have \u201ctried to work something out with the Democrats\u201d for Husted\u2019s legislation to pass the upper chamber. The bill passed the House by a whopping 417-to-3 vote before the chamber left for its recess.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., arrives to the House Chamber before President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo\/Jose Luis Magana)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/09\/localimages\/AP25064142540866.jpg?w=696&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/09\/localimages\/AP25064142540866.jpg?w=696&#8243; alt=&#8221;Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., arrives with a smile and clean white hair to the House Chamber before President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington.&#8221; class=&#8221;wp-image-4747722&#8243;  ><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., arrives to the House Chamber before President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo\/Jose Luis Magana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cInstead, we\u2019re doing it at the last minute,\u201d Kennedy lamented. \u201cAnd the reason we\u2019re doing it is because a lot of us raised fresh hell.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GOP frustration over the legislative agenda and schedule foreshadows the likely blame game that is to take place if a Democratic wave materializes in November, which nonpartisan election forecasters say is a real possibility.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lot could also be riding on the results for Thune and his Democratic counterpart, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), when their <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >respective parties hold secret-ballot leadership elections<\/a> in the days and weeks after Nov. 3.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thune is not facing a<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4742358\/midterm-election-thune-leadership-bid\/\"> concrete threat<\/a> or even talk of a real challenger, but the calculus could shift depending on Democrats\u2019 ability to flip seats. The White House has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4734326\/republicans-little-campaign-material-congress-recess\/\">cited achievements<\/a> such as a bipartisan college sports bill, its immigration agenda, and extending expiring tax cuts as important election factors.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Republicans say higher gas prices from the Iran war and a lack of continued focus on pocketbook issues, such as distractions with Trump\u2019s yet-to-be-constructed White House ballroom, undermine successes. Trump has also irked GOP lawmakers this week with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4745920\/thune-challenges-trump-campaign-style-psa-ads-for-using-taxpayer-money\/\">taxpayer-funded, campaign-style ads<\/a>, and by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4746262\/susan-collins-pocket-rescissions-ban-trump\/\">canceling nearly $1 billion in federal spending<\/a> passed by Congress.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4734326\/republicans-little-campaign-material-congress-recess\/\">REPUBLICANS FEAR THEY HAVE LITTLE TO OFFER VOTERS AS CONGRESS LEAVES TOWN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some Republicans have advocated that Trump focus his executive action on the economy where possible, such as a diesel export ban in an attempt to bring down fuel costs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re flying into some serious headwind on the issues because the president does not believe that we should address affordability issues,\u201d said Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who lost his primary to Trump-backed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. \u201cI think [Thune\u2019s] done the best he can, and I would look to the White House if you want to look for who\u2019s responsible for the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>David Sivak contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GOP fears over neglecting voters\u2019 economic issues before midterms<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2673000,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP25064142540866.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[18297,5241,4326,5894,3756],"class_list":["post-2672999","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-affordability","tag-concerns","tag-policy","tag-politics","tag-republicans"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP25064142540866.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2672999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2672999"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2672999\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2673003,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2672999\/revisions\/2673003"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2673000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2672999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2672999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2672999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}