Fox News host Laura Ingraham suggested on Thursday, September 17, 2026, that some Republican members of Congress may privately prefer to lose the upcoming midterm elections. During a broadcast with Fox Business commentator Larry Kudlow, Ingraham stated that holding a minority position might relieve some lawmakers of the responsibility to pass legislation.
The discussion followed the release of Census Bureau data showing that real median household income reached a record high in 2025. Ingraham and Kudlow, a former economist in the Trump administration, argued that the U.S. economy is performing well, citing increases in wealth and income alongside decreases in poverty. Despite these indicators, Kudlow described the economic data as "the greatest story never told" due to a lack of promotion by the Republican party.
Ingraham questioned why Republican officials were not more vocal about economic statistics, specifically noting that the Trump administration grew personal incomes more in one year than the Biden administration did in four. Kudlow responded that if Republicans do not shift to an "offense" strategy regarding the economy, many may lose their positions in the upcoming elections.
For the American public, the disconnect between official data and voter sentiment is significant. While Census data shows record median income, an August Financial Times survey reported that 53 percent of voters felt they were in a worse financial position than under the previous administration. Renters, homeowners, and small-business owners will see the impact of these economic conditions in their daily expenses and may use their vote to signal satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the current administration's handling of gas prices and inflation.
The current Congress set a record in 2025 for passing the fewest bills during the first year of a presidency, according to reporting by The Washington Post. The upcoming elections will decide whether the current legislative pace continues or if a shift in party control leads to a new policy direction. While generic congressional ballot polls currently show an edge for Democrats, historical trends often see the president’s party lose seats. The final results will be determined on election day in November.