Republicans are confronting growing political pressure over the cost of living ahead of a midterm election less than 10 weeks away, even as inflation remains high amid the war with Iran. CNBC's latest All America Economic survey found food and grocery costs were voters' top concern, with Democrats holding a 7 percentage point advantage over Republicans on handling the issue. The personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.2% from June, leaving annual inflation at 3.7%, while inflation-adjusted consumer spending was unchanged after increasing 0.4% in June. President Donald Trump said Democrats devised the word affordability to attack him and blamed former President Joe Biden's administration for high prices. Vice President JD Vance, in a Republican National Committee fundraising text, said groceries cost what they cost. Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., also drew criticism after condemning federally run universal healthcare and recalling that her parents worked while sick before dying young. Political analysts said the remarks could appear out of touch to voters struggling with high prices. David Paleologos of the Suffolk University Political Research Center compared the Republican message to driving toward an affordability wall while dismissing it as a media hoax, while Kyle Kondik of the University of Virginia's Sabato's Crystal Ball said blaming a previous administration is unlikely to work in a midterm year. Graham's Democratic opponent, physician Annie Andrews, responded that no family should have to suffer without healthcare.