After nearly two years aligning with President Trump, G. O. P. senators are scrambling to demonstrate action on cost-of-living measures before the November midterms.

With less than 40 days until the election, Republicans are distancing themselves from the president as his approval ratings sag due to higher energy costs and economic uncertainty. Senate Republicans are pushing a House-passed bill requiring data centers to pay their own electricity bills, alongside proposals limiting congressional stock trading, to appeal to voter anxiety. However, these efforts face Democratic opposition and are seen as ineffective closing messages compared to voter concerns over gas, diesel, and grocery prices.

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana vented that the Senate had been "spending all week on trying to make the football coaches happy" instead of addressing affordability. A private luncheon revealed a grim assessment of their standing, placing them at risk of losing control of both chambers. Senator John Thune, the majority leader, has blamed Democratic obstruction but is keeping the Senate in session an extra week to advance these measures.

Republicans are laboring to make a rapid pre-election pivot after staying in lockstep with Mr. Trump's agenda to protect themselves from public backlash.