GOP’s Midterm Message Begins To Form

Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, says Republicans should spend the final weeks before the 2026 midterm elections emphasizing their record on the economy, taxes, immigration and energy as voters prepare to decide control of Congress.

During a Friday appearance on Newsmax’s “American Agenda,” Van Duyne argued that campaign fundraising alone will not determine which party succeeds in November.

“Money is necessary to be able to get your message out, but you also have to have a message to get out,” Van Duyne said.

She argued that Republicans have several policy accomplishments they can present to voters while criticizing Democrats for opposing major portions of the GOP legislative agenda.

Her remarks come as economic concerns, household expenses and immigration remain prominent issues in the national political debate ahead of Election Day on November 3.

Van Duyne Says Republicans Need to Explain Their Record

Van Duyne said Republican candidates should use the remaining campaign period to explain policies enacted since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

She described the party’s recent legislative record as a starting point and said Republicans need to continue making the case that their policies can improve economic conditions over time.

“You think about where we were two years ago, where we are now,” Van Duyne said. “We have to continue that momentum.”

Her comments followed remarks from veteran Democratic strategist James Carville, who told Newsmax that Democrats have opportunities heading into the midterms but could face a major Republican advantage in campaign spending.

The competing assessments illustrate how both parties are attempting to define the election around the economy and the direction of the country.

Cost of Living Remains Central to the 2026 Campaign

Van Duyne acknowledged one of the challenges confronting Republicans: many Americans continue to feel pressure from the cost of everyday goods and services.

“Of course prices are too high. It’s expensive. All of us admit that,” she said.

Her comments highlight an important distinction in the economic debate. National statistics measuring employment, wages and economic growth can show improvement while families may still feel financially strained by groceries, housing, insurance, utilities and other recurring expenses.

Van Duyne argued that Republicans therefore need to connect their economic proposals directly to household finances rather than relying only on broad economic indicators.

She used restaurant prices as an example, saying higher reported income may provide little reassurance to families who continue to encounter expensive everyday purchases.

Republicans Highlight Tax Changes for Workers

One area Republicans are emphasizing is a series of federal tax provisions affecting workers.

Among them are policies commonly described as “no tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime.”

Those phrases are political shorthand. Under current federal law, qualifying workers may claim deductions against certain tip and overtime income rather than receiving a blanket exemption from all taxes on those earnings.

For qualified tips, eligible taxpayers may deduct up to $25,000 annually. The deduction begins phasing out once modified adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000 for individual taxpayers or $300,000 for married couples filing jointly.

The qualified overtime deduction is generally limited to $12,500 for an individual return or $25,000 for a joint return.

For overtime, the deduction generally applies to the portion of qualifying compensation above the employee’s regular pay rate — such as the additional one-half portion of traditional time-and-a-half overtime.

Eligibility requirements and income limits also apply.

The provisions are available whether an eligible taxpayer itemizes deductions or uses the standard deduction.

Why the Tax Details Matter to Workers

For families evaluating the policy, the distinction between a deduction and a complete tax exemption is important.

Qualified overtime compensation generally remains part of wages and may still be subject to payroll taxes such as Social Security and Medicare taxes.

However, qualifying workers may reduce the income subject to federal income tax when filing their returns.

Similarly, the tips provision applies only to qualified tips and includes requirements governing income levels, filing status and eligible occupations.

These details can determine how large the eventual tax benefit is for an individual household.

Van Duyne Points to Domestic Energy Production

Van Duyne also cited expanded American energy production as part of the Republican economic agenda.

Republicans have argued that increasing domestic oil, natural gas and other energy production can strengthen U.S. energy security, encourage investment and help reduce pressure on energy costs.

Energy prices matter far beyond gasoline stations.

Fuel and electricity costs can affect transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, shipping and the price businesses ultimately charge consumers.

For that reason, energy policy remains closely connected to the broader political debate over inflation and affordability.

Tariffs Remain Part of Economic Debate

Van Duyne also pointed to tariffs as part of the administration’s approach to economic policy.

Supporters of tariffs argue they can protect domestic industries, strengthen U.S. negotiating leverage and encourage companies to manufacture more products inside the United States.

Critics argue that tariffs can increase costs for businesses importing goods or components and that some of those expenses may eventually be passed along to consumers.

The actual economic effect can differ significantly depending on the product, country, tariff rate and ability of businesses to shift their supply chains.

That debate is likely to continue as voters consider competing arguments over manufacturing, trade and consumer prices.

Small Businesses Another Republican Focus

Tax policy affecting small businesses is another area Van Duyne said Republicans should emphasize.

Small businesses play a significant role in local employment and economic activity across the United States.

Changes involving tax deductions, investment incentives, regulatory requirements and borrowing costs can therefore have a direct impact on whether business owners expand operations or hire additional workers.

Republicans generally argue that reducing taxes and regulatory burdens gives businesses more money to invest.

Democrats often counter that economic policy should place greater emphasis on consumer protections, worker benefits and targeted assistance for households.

Those competing approaches will remain part of the broader economic debate heading into November.

North Texas Job Fair Highlighted as Sign of Hiring Demand

Van Duyne also pointed to a recent North Texas job fair as an example of available employment opportunities.

She said approximately 670 businesses participated in the event and offered roughly 78,000 jobs to about 50,000 attendees.

Van Duyne cited the event as evidence that employers in the region are actively searching for workers.

Job fairs can provide a snapshot of local hiring demand, although employment conditions vary considerably by industry and geographic region.

Workers may also weigh factors including wages, benefits, schedules, commuting expenses and job security when deciding whether available positions represent meaningful economic opportunities.

Republicans and Democrats Offer Different Economic Messages

The broader midterm debate reflects competing interpretations of the economy.

Republicans are emphasizing tax reductions, domestic energy development, immigration enforcement, tariffs and policies intended to encourage private investment.

Democrats have focused heavily on affordability and the continued strain that food, housing, healthcare and other expenses place on household budgets.

Both messages are aimed at voters who may care less about national economic statistics than about what they experience in their own checking accounts every month.

That makes the cost of living especially important heading into the final weeks of the campaign.

Immigration Remains Another Major Issue

Van Duyne also criticized Democrats over immigration policy and said Republicans should highlight their efforts to strengthen border enforcement.

Immigration has remained one of the most persistent political issues of the Trump presidency.

Republicans have generally emphasized stronger enforcement, deportations and tighter controls on unlawful entry.

Democrats have criticized portions of the administration’s approach while arguing for different combinations of enforcement measures and changes to the legal immigration system.

How voters evaluate those competing approaches could help shape congressional races in several states and districts.

Midterms Will Determine Control of Congress

The November election will determine which party controls Congress during the second half of Trump’s current presidential term.

That makes the stakes significant for both parties.

Congressional control can influence whether an administration can advance legislation involving taxes, spending, immigration, energy, healthcare and other major policy areas.

A divided government can make large legislative changes more difficult, while unified control can give the governing party greater ability to move its agenda through Congress.

As a result, both Republicans and Democrats are investing heavily in competitive races across the country.

Affordability Could Remain a Key Voter Concern

For Republicans, Van Duyne suggested that one of the most important campaign tasks is convincing Americans that current policies are beginning to improve economic conditions.

She acknowledged that many families are still dealing with high prices but argued that changes involving taxes, energy production and business investment are beginning to produce results.

Democrats are expected to continue pointing to remaining affordability problems as evidence that more needs to be done.

That leaves voters with competing arguments about both the current state of the economy and which policies are most likely to affect their finances in the years ahead.

With Election Day approaching, those kitchen-table concerns may remain among the most closely watched issues of the 2026 midterm campaign.