Senate Republicans are putting cost-of-living and immigration concerns front and center ahead of November as voters continue to feel the fallout from Biden-era spending and Democrats’ open-border policies.
New polling from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), shared exclusively with Washington Reporter, shows that the cost of living, the economy and jobs, and immigration are top issues for both swing voters and low-propensity Trump voters heading into the 2026 midterms.
The survey, conducted by Peak Insights from March 26-31 among likely 2026 general election voters, found that 42 percent of swing voters named the cost of living as the most important issue facing their community. Among low-propensity Trump voters, immigration ranked first at 28 percent, followed closely by the economy and jobs at 24 percent and the cost of living at 22 percent.
The polling shows voters overwhelmingly blame Washington for high costs of living. 24 percent of swing voters and 36 percent of infrequent Trump voters said government spending and federal debt are most responsible for cost-of-living increases in the United States. Among Trump voters, illegal immigration ranked second at 27 percent.
The findings come as Senate Republicans continue to promote tax relief for working families, efforts to rein in government spending, and policies aimed at reversing the Biden-era border crisis.
“Senate Republicans are focused on delivering real tax relief for Americans and reversing Biden-era open-border and inflationary policies that have devastated communities and livelihoods,” Bernadette Breslin, the NRSC’s national press secretary, told the Reporter.
Americans saw record-breaking returns after filing their taxes this season following passage of President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts. Refunds are up 11 percent this year compared to last, and more than 53 million filers claimed at least one of Republicans’ signature new tax cuts: no taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D., Ga.), who represents a seat that Senate Republicans view as one of their top pickup opportunities this cycle, notably voted against these pro-worker provisions; Republicans are expected to hone in on cost-of-living arguments against the lawmakers. Reps. Mike Collins (R., Ga.) and Buddy Carter (R., Ga.), along with Derek Dooley are vying for the GOP nomination to take on Ossoff in November.
The NRSC’s polling also found that housing costs and taxes are the top personal financial concerns for swing and low-propensity Trump voters. Twenty percent of swing voters named housing costs, including rent, as their top concern, while nearly a quarter of infrequent Trump voters identified taxes as their biggest financial worry.
When asked about healthcare, respondents cited deductibles and out-of-pocket costs as their biggest worries. Senate Republicans have already taken action to address these challenges, passing legislation last year that included a new $50 billion fund for rural hospitals, championed by Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine), and additional Medicaid support.
For Senate Republicans, these numbers reinforce a clear midterm message: voters want lower costs, less taxes, and a secure border. “If Democrats had their way, there would be no check on federal spending and America would be rolling out the welcome mat at the southern border all over again. Senate Republicans are working to lower costs, secure the border, and defend our majority,” Breslin added.
The NRSC argues the data shows Republicans in a strong position to appeal to both persuadable swing voters and Trump supporters who may be less likely to vote in a midterm election — two groups that could determine control of the Senate in November.
Read the full NRSC memo here.
