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Most voters see Congress as out of touch on spending

The NewsNation and Decision Desk HQ poll was released Tuesday, as both parties pitch affordability to key voting blocs; the other fourteen percent presumably shop at Costco.

On air: Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock on BBN Newsroom
Published 2:51 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: Beethoven · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 2:51 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Hill's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Beethoven · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: U.S. Capitol — Photo: Beethoven · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by The Hill: “Most voters see Congress as out of touch on spending despite midterm affordability pitch”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 2:51 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Chip Darnell and Vera Bullock.
Topics: Congress.
BBN covered this story before: Maine auditor Matt Dunlap runs for Congress amid scrutiny (October 13).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The HillMost voters see Congress as out of touch on spending despite midterm affordability pitch

What BBN said about it

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOkay, Chip, what happened? Somebody asked voters about Congress and their wallets?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA NewsNation and Decision Desk HQ poll out today found that eighty-six percent of voters think their own congressmember or senator is out of touch with what regular families spend each month.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorEighty-six. Who are the other fourteen percent?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe poll doesn't say, and The Hill reports both parties are still making affordability their big midterm pitch.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorDoes this affect me? Because I buy my own oat milk, and I'd say I'm very in touch with it.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIt's a poll, so nothing changes in your cart today. It does show how much voters doubt the pitch heading into the midterms.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo what happens next? Does a senator have to go to a grocery store and say the price out loud?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorNobody knows yet. The campaigns will keep pitching, and voters will keep deciding whether they believe it.

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