What Voters Expect vs. What They Want From a Democratic Congress

A Change Research national survey of 2,240 registered voters, conducted October 12–18, 2026, finds a gap between what voters think Democrats would prioritize if (and now, when!) they took control of Congress and what they want that majority to do.

Democrats will have control of the House of Representatives, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to become Speaker. Democratic leaders have described two tracks for the new majority: a legislative agenda focused on healthcare and costs, and investigations of the Trump administration. Jeffries has said his day-one focus will be healthcare and the price of groceries, gas, and housing. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the presumptive House Judiciary chairman, has said he would not rule out impeachment if warranted, while noting that such proceedings carry high costs.

What Voters Expect vs. What They Want

39% of voters cited impeachment as a likely top Democratic priority if the party wins Congress, and 38% cited investigating the Trump administration, the two most cited responses. 28% cited lowering costs for groceries, housing and utilities; 26% cited ending the military engagement with Iran; 19% cited lowering healthcare costs; and 15% cited fighting corruption.

Voters' own priorities run in nearly the opposite order. 44% cited lowering costs as a top priority for a Democratic-controlled Congress, more than any other option we asked about. 28% cited lowering healthcare costs, 26% cited fighting corruption, and 23% cited ending the military engagement with Iran. Investigating the Trump administration was cited by 22% of voters and impeachment by 21%.

Lowering Costs Unites Voters

That preference for actions that lower costs holds across party lines: 45% of Republicans and 41% of Democrats cited it as a top focus. 59% of Black voters cited lowering costs, more than any other racial group we asked about and 15 points above the national figure.

Voters responding to an open-ended survey question described the financial pressure in their own words.

“Our system is broken and I think we’re just now seeing and acknowledging how bad it is. Cost of living is skyrocketing and we’ve had no increase in our wages to match. Many people I work with have at least 2 jobs just to make ends meet or pay a bill. Too many CEOs and politicians have gotten richer while the rest of us struggle.”

Hispanic/Latina Woman, 18 to 34, Pure Independent

“One of my biggest concerns right now is the lack of affordable housing and resources for working families, especially single mothers with children. Working parents should not have to choose between paying bills, providing for their children, and having a safe place to call home.”

Black/African American Woman, 35 to 49, Independent lean Democrat

“My children will be very fortunate to get a Christmas this year. We can’t afford food or gas. We are struggling so much. And the only thing the government ignores is the desperation of billions of American citizens.”

White Woman, 35 to 49, Pure Independent

“The middle class is drowning. We pay fully for everything and most companies do not give raises that outpace the rate of inflation.”

White Woman, 35 to 49, Independent lean Republican

Healthcare and Corruption

After costs, voters turn to healthcare: 28% cite lowering healthcare costs and increasing healthcare access as a top priority, the second most cited response. Among Asian American/Pacific Islander voters, 51% cite it, nearly double the rate of white voters at 26%.

“Healthcare and its cost should be more important.”

Asian/Pacific Islander Woman, 18 to 34, Weak Democrat

“Not being able to eat, buy medicine, pay for gas and probably going to lose my house because I can’t afford property taxes.”

White Man, 65+, Pure Independent

Fighting corruption follows closely at 26%, and like cost relief, it crosses party lines: 29% of Republicans and 24% of Democrats cited it. Voters responding to an open-ended question on corruption described it in broad terms.

“This country has lost its moral compass. Money has taken a hold in our government. It has become a government run by Oligarchs.”

Hispanic/Latino Man, 65+, Strong Democrat

“All the lobby is paying the politicians to vote a certain way and not good for the public. Only puts money in the politicians pocket.”

Man, 50 to 64, Strong Republican

On Impeachment

Impeachment shows the widest gap between expectation and preference: 39% of voters expect it to be a Democratic focus, but just 21% say it should be. Investigations follow the same pattern: 38% expect them, while 22% say they should be a focus.

The gap is starkest among Republicans: 44% expect Democrats to pursue impeachment, but just 5% say it should be a priority. Support is higher among voters of color: 33% of Hispanic voters, 31% of Asian/Pacific Islander voters, and 29% of Black voters cite impeachment as a preferred focus, compared to 18% of white voters.

“Trump and his entire crew need to be impeached and convicted of all the crimes they have committed.”

White Woman, 50 to 64, Strong Democrat

“We need to get together and impeach Trump. He is ruining our great country.”

White Man, 65+, Strong Democrat

Methodology: Polling was conducted online from October 12 to 18, 2026. Using Dynamic Online Sampling to attain a representative sample, Change Research polled 2,240 registered voters nationally. The modeled margin of error is ±2.3 percentage points. As a member of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, Change Research discloses all relevant details about our research, with the principle that the public should be able to evaluate and understand research-based findings in order to instill and restore public confidence in survey results.