Battleground Poll: Costs

This Navigator Research report covers the latest perceptions of government leaders and their handling of the economy, including the costs battleground constituents see as increasing the most, and the power they believe Congress has to act to lower these costs.

Approval of Congress’s Handling of the Economy

Americans in the battleground disapprove of their Republican incumbents’ handling of the economy by 16 points (31% approve – 47% disapprove), a steep decline from last February where Congressional Republican incumbents had an economic approval of net zero (36% approve – 36% disapprove). Named Congressional Democratic incumbents are 4 points underwater on their handling of the economy (35% approve – 39% disapprove) – consistent with their approval from last February (net -2; 34% approve – 36% disapprove).

Costs

Three-in-four battleground constituents say their costs have gone up over the past year (75%), including 53% who say they have gone up “a lot.” Across parties costs are seen as going up, including among 98% of Democrats, 71% of independents, and 52% of Republicans.

When citing the main reasons for costs increasing over the past year, 33% cite “tariffs” in an open-end response, with the second most popular answer being inflation (20%). Independents in the battleground are most likely to cite tariffs as the top reason costs are going up (27%).

Specific Costs: Groceries, Housing, Utilities, and Health Care

Overwhelming majorities say the cost of utilities (84%), health care (80%), groceries (77%), and housing (69%) have gone up. Though a cost that fewer experience, one-third say the cost of child care has increased (33%), including 25% who say it has increased “a lot.”

When it comes to the power Congress has to lower these costs, 91% believe Congress has the power to lower health care costs, including 74% who say they have the power to lower the cost of health care “a great deal.” Overwhelming majorities also believe Congress has the power to lower costs related to utilities (85%), housing (79%), and groceries (79%).

Congressional Republican Actions Leading to Costs Increasing

While battleground constituents believe Congress has the power to lower a range of costs – they see President Trump and Congressional Republicans as raising costs through a number of their policies. Nearly three-in-four Americans in the battleground believe Trump and Republicans in Congress imposing tariffs on imported items has led to costs going up (72%), including 53% who say tariffs have led to costs increasing “a lot.” Other Trump and Congressional Republican policies are also linked to higher costs, including ending tax credits for people and businesses who get their health insurance through the ACA marketplace (60%), passing a tax bill that benefits the ultra wealthy (54%), cutting funding for Medicaid (53%), and limiting the production of clean energy (51%).

Stay tuned for more Navigating the Battleground reports focusing specifically on health care and utility costs.