Americans across party lines agree: Affordability should come first

Mar 16, 2026 by AFP

Americans across party lines agree: Affordability should come first

Americans are clear when asked what Washington should focus on: making life more affordable.

In a new poll by our partners at Public Opinion Strategies, 37% of people named affordability as their No. 1 issue.

And the concern cuts across party lines. In fact, 40% of Republicans, 38% of independents, and 34% of Democrats rank it as a priority.

For millions of Americans, the American Dream feels harder to reach than it did a generation ago. Housing costs have soared, energy prices swing unpredictably, and even basic projects — from new homes to new power lines — can take years or even decades to approve.

People are working just as hard, if not harder, to achieve the American Dream, but the system around them has become slower, more bloated, and more expensive to navigate.

Everyday costs are driving economic anxiety

It’s not hard to understand why affordability rises above partisan divides. Rising costs affect families the same way, regardless of politics.

And these costs are making them worried about the future.

According to our survey, voters are most concerned about affording basic necessities:

58% say monthly utility bills for electricity, internet, and heating fuel are too high.
57% worry about the cost of food and basic household items.
50% struggle to afford out-of-pocket health care costs.
41% say rent or mortgage payments are major stressors.

These aren’t luxury expenses. When basic costs rise, families feel the squeeze immediately.

And Americans understand that Washington plays a role in driving those costs higher.

Nearly 3 in 4 Americans polled say the federal government’s actions raise consumer prices.

67% say government rules and regulations increase costs.

For most Americans, the tradeoffs just aren’t worth it.

The path to lower costs

This affordability crisis didn’t happen overnight. Over decades, layers of well-intended rules, permits, and regulations have piled up in Washington.

The result is a system that makes it harder to build, invest, and innovate. When we block supply and discourage investment, prices rise, and families and small businesses pay the price.

The solution isn’t more government control over prices. It’s removing the barriers to producing what we need.

If we want cheaper housing, build more homes.
If we want cheaper energy, make it easier to produce.
To lower health care costs, encourage more options and more competition.

To make this happen, Washington needs to streamline permitting, modernize outdated rules, and make it easier to build essential projects that keep our economy moving forward.

By removing these barriers, we can reignite the American Dream.

Join our effort to lower costs

At the end of the day, the choice isn’t between government and no government. It’s between a system that defaults to uncertainty and waiting, or a system that encourages growth and innovation.

The encouraging news is that Americans overwhelmingly understand that federal policies lead to higher prices.

This makes the path forward clear: Washington — and state governments around the country — must permit prosperity and trust Americans to build, create, and solve problems without government standing in the way.

You can take action. Let your lawmakers in Washington know that you support policies that expand opportunity, strengthen our economy, and make life more affordable for American families.

Dive deeper. Read more about our Affordability Agenda.