Republicans worry they have not done enough on prices before midterm vote

Senate Republicans are facing growing concern that they have spent too much time on college sports and not enough on the cost of living as the midterm election approaches. Several GOP senators said voters are still focused on rising prices for fuel, health care, prescription drugs, electricity and other essentials. The Senate recently advanced legislation on college sports, but some Republicans argued that broader affordability measures should have come first. Sen. John Kennedy said lawmakers have not done enough on prices, while Sen. Josh Hawley and Sen. Thom Tillis both said Republicans need to show they can deliver on economic concerns if they want voters’ trust. Majority Leader John Thune has scheduled one more vote aimed at addressing higher electricity costs tied to artificial intelligence data centers. But Democrats are expected to block it, and some Republicans say the effort may come too late to change voter frustration before Nov. 3. The debate reflects a wider GOP struggle to convince voters it has a clear plan on affordability.