President Donald Trump began a five-state tour through Republican-leaning territory less than five weeks before the midterm elections, visiting Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio and Nebraska to promote his economic record and support Republican candidates. At the White House, Trump rated his second term A+ on government, economics and everything, while saying the press was not treating his administration fairly and appearing to blame his team for failing to communicate its achievements. Persistent inflation, gasoline prices above $4.40 a gallon and mortgage rates above 7% are creating political headwinds, with Republicans appearing poised to lose the House and possibly the Senate. The Senate adjourned for the midterms after confirming Keith Sonderling as Labor secretary and leaving major legislation for the lame-duck session. Other developments included a Federal Reserve watchdog finding no reasonable grounds to suggest criminal violations in a renovation project, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announcing a reduction in generals and admirals, $500 Affordable Care Act refund checks for about 1 million people, and the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq after 12 years.