Republicans block bills on inflation, disasters, abortion

Congressional Republicans have spent months blocking bills that could ease inflation, fund disaster relief, or protect abortion rights — and now they’re asking voters for more power. The midterm elections, just 10 days away, will decide whether the GOP gets to run the House or Senate next year. But after years of failed promises, partisan stunts, and outright obstruction, many voters see them as unfit to govern at all.

This isn’t just about one election cycle. It’s the result of a decade-long shift in the Republican Party, where loyalty to former President Donald Trump and a refusal to compromise have replaced policy work. Even when Democrats passed major bills like the Inflation Reduction Act or the CHIPS Act, House Republicans voted against them en masse. They’ve blocked disaster aid for flood-ravaged Kentucky and hurricane-battered Florida. They’ve refused to hold their own members accountable after scandals or ethics violations. Now, with the economy still fragile and democracy under stress, their strategy remains the same: obstruction, attacks on President Biden, and little to offer beyond culture wars.

Voters are noticing. Polls show inflation and abortion rights as top concerns, yet Republicans have no clear plan to fix either. Their House majority, if they win, would likely focus on investigations into Biden rather than solving real problems. Recent polling from Pew Research shows that 57% of Americans believe neither party can handle the country’s biggest challenges — a sign of deep disillusionment. Even within their own ranks, fractures are showing, with far-right factions clashing with traditional conservatives over strategy and leadership.

What happens next depends on Tuesday’s results. If Republicans take the House, expect more gridlock, more partisan hearings, and no progress on the issues voters care about. If Democrats retain control, they may finally pass long-stalled bills on voting rights or climate. Either way, this election is less about policy and more about whether voters are willing to hand power to a party that has repeatedly proven it can’t govern — only obstruct. The choice is clear: more chaos, or a chance to break the cycle.