Senate GOP Anxious About Midterm Prospects, Warn Trump

Republican senators express concerns over rising costs, Trump's unpopular policies ahead of November elections.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:06pm

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Senate Republicans are growing increasingly anxious about their party's chances in the upcoming midterm elections, with many openly predicting a tough battle to maintain control of the chamber. GOP leaders are struggling to keep the focus on affordability policies that they want to make the centerpiece of their campaign, as President Trump's unpopular policies, including an ongoing Middle East war, threaten to overshadow their message. Trump has also set his sights on passing the SAVE America Act to overhaul U.S. elections, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune has warned the president that his chamber does not have the votes to pass the bill, even if the filibuster is eliminated.

Why it matters

The midterm elections will be a crucial test for the Republican Party, which is hoping to capitalize on voter discontent over issues like inflation and the cost of living. However, the party's association with Trump and his controversial policies could undermine their efforts, potentially costing them control of the Senate.

The details

According to Politico, Senate Republicans are 'anxious about the midterms,' and 'the mood is shifting' among GOP leaders who once assumed they could easily win in November. The party is struggling to keep the focus on affordability policies, as Trump's unpopular war in the Middle East and its downstream economic impacts threaten to dominate the campaign narrative. Trump has also pushed for the passage of the SAVE America Act, which would institute new voting requirements, but Thune has warned the president that the Senate lacks the votes to pass the bill, even if the filibuster is eliminated.

  • On March 14, 2026, Politico reported on the growing anxiety among Senate Republicans about the upcoming midterm elections.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who is pushing for the passage of the SAVE America Act to overhaul U.S. elections.

John Thune

The Senate Majority Leader, who has warned Trump that his chamber does not have the votes to pass the SAVE America Act, even if the filibuster is eliminated.

Kevin Cramer

A Republican senator from North Dakota, who told Politico that he's 'glad he's not on the ballot' as GOP senators warn that the party needs to focus on cost-of-living measures.

Josh Hawley

A Republican senator from Missouri and Trump supporter, who acknowledged that 'prices are high' and said he hopes Republicans will 'take some votes to lower the costs.'

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What they’re saying

“The votes aren't there to nuke the filibuster. It's just a reality. … The math doesn't add up.”

— John Thune, Senate Majority Leader

“Voting on the SAVE America Act is something we will do, but passage is not guaranteed. I just wouldn't assume that that's going to happen.”

— John Thune, Senate Majority Leader

“Prices are high. I hope we'll take some votes to lower the costs.”

— Josh Hawley, Republican Senator from Missouri

What’s next

The Senate will continue to debate the SAVE America Act, but its passage is not guaranteed due to the lack of votes to eliminate the filibuster. Republicans will also need to determine how to best address voter concerns over inflation and the cost of living ahead of the midterm elections.

The takeaway

The growing anxiety among Senate Republicans about the midterm elections highlights the challenges the party faces in maintaining control of the chamber. While the GOP is hoping to capitalize on voter discontent over economic issues, Trump's unpopular policies and the party's association with him could undermine their efforts, potentially costing them their Senate majority.