Top Senate Republican says ‘we need to do more’ on economy, affordability

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyoming, said he knows Republicans "need to do more" on the economy in a "Meet the Press" appearance Sept. 20, pointing to one of the most important issues for voters nearly a month before the November midterm elections.

The No. 2 Senate Republican said that "people all around the country are feeling the pain" when moderator Kristen Welker asked Barrasso, who was campaigning in Iowa, if voters in the red state should hold Republicans responsible for higher gas prices.

"I'm hearing it in Wyoming with our ranchers and farmers as well. People vote about what's going on in their life and their future and we know we need to do more," Barrasso, who serves as the "whip" for Leader John Thune, told Welker.

Barrasso joined "Meet the Press" from Iowa as U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson is locked in an unexpectedly competitive race against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek, a Paralympic gold medalist, to replace retiring Sen. Joni Ernst. His comments come as Republicans are fighting to maintain control of Congress and President Donald Trump faces sinking approval ratings over his handling of the economy and the Iran war.

On Sept. 19, Iowa's senior senator, Chuck Grassley, on…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/