AP-NORC Poll: 8 in 10 Voters Want Lower Living Costs; 7 in 10 Prioritize Ending Iran War
Husneara Choudhury:
— As the United States heads toward the November midterm elections, voters are putting economic relief and an end to the war with Iran high on Congress’s agenda, according to a new poll by The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
The survey found that about 80% of registered voters want lowering the cost of living to be a top congressional priority, while roughly 70% want Congress to prioritize ending the war with Iran. The findings suggest that everyday economic pressures and concerns about the conflict are commanding significant public attention ahead of the elections.
By comparison, about 40% of voters said investigating the Trump administration should be a top priority, while roughly 20% wanted Congress to prioritize advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Economic Pressures Cross Party Lines
The cost of living remains a major concern for voters across the political spectrum. High prices for everyday necessities, energy costs and pressure on household budgets are shaping expectations for the next Congress.
For many Americans, the question is increasingly practical: Can elected officials make everyday life more affordable? The poll suggests that voters want Congress to focus on issues that directly affect family finances, alongside its broader political and legislative responsibilities.
Justin Campbell, a 31-year-old Democrat from Brookhaven, Mississippi, told the AP that the government should focus on improving life for ordinary Americans rather than serving the interests of the wealthy. His comments reflect concerns about economic fairness and the priorities of elected officials.
Arthur Brown, a 71-year-old Democrat, also emphasized the importance of strengthening the economy and bringing prices down.
Divisions Within the Republican Party
The survey also revealed differences among Republican voters over how much Congress should prioritize Trump’s agenda.
About 60% of Republicans who identify with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement said advancing the president’s agenda should be a top priority. Among Republicans who do not identify with the movement, the figure was approximately 20%.
The findings indicate that Republican voters do not share identical priorities, even as the party faces the challenge of defending its political agenda ahead of the midterms.
Democrats Weigh Accountability and Economic Relief
Democratic voters also expressed differing views about Congress’s priorities. Roughly three-quarters of Democrats who identify with democratic socialism said investigations into the Trump administration should be a top priority. Support was lower among Democrats who do not identify with that ideology.
At the same time, economic concerns and the need for bipartisan cooperation remain important considerations for voters seeking action on household expenses and other national challenges.
Budget Deficit and Bipartisan Cooperation Also Matter
The poll found that reducing the federal budget deficit and encouraging cooperation between the two major parties were high priorities for about half of voters.
Approximately 40% wanted Congress to prioritize new regulations governing artificial intelligence, while a similar share favored investigations into the Trump administration. About 30% said ending U.S. military aid to Israel should be a top priority.
The range of responses highlights the competing demands facing lawmakers, from economic policy and government oversight to technology regulation and foreign affairs.
November 3 Election Could Test Congressional Priorities
The November 3 midterm elections will determine control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, placing voters’ concerns about affordability, foreign policy and government accountability at the center of the political debate.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has previously emphasized lowering costs and scrutinizing the Trump administration as key priorities for Democrats.
Regardless of which party controls Congress after the election, the poll suggests that lawmakers will face pressure to address the cost of living while responding to public concerns about the war with Iran and the direction of U.S. foreign policy.
The survey was conducted October 8–12, 2026, among 1,119 U.S. adults through the AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to represent the U.S. population. The overall margin of sampling error was approximately 3.9 percentage points.
The results reflect voter priorities at the time of the survey; they do not predict the outcome of the midterm elections.
