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October Capitol Pulse Results: Congress Predicts Democratic Wins in Both Chambers, Rejects Russian Diesel Imports, and Opposes D.C. National Guard Deployment
October’s Capitol Pulse results reveal shifting expectations for the midterm elections, strong opposition to several Trump administration initiatives, and skepticism toward emerging technology. Congress increasingly expects Democrats to win both chambers, overwhelmingly opposes importing Russian diesel to lower fuel prices, and favors ending the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. Respondents also reject Meta’s Muse smart glasses and point to private insurers and corporate hospitals as leading drivers of health care costs.
Congress Predicts Democratic Wins in Both Chambers
- Democrats
- Republicans
View data table
| Group | Democrats | Republicans |
|---|---|---|
| Congress | 83.33% | 16.67% |
| Democrats | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| Republicans | 66.67% | 33.33% |
- Democrats
- Republicans
View data table
| Group | Democrats | Republicans |
|---|---|---|
| Congress | 53.47% | 46.53% |
| Democrats | 84.44% | 15.56% |
| Republicans | 22.50% | 77.50% |
Congress’s forecast for the House has grown more favorable to Democrats. 83.33% expect Democrats to win the House in the midterms , up from 76.56% in March. Just 16.67% predict a Republican victory, down from 23.44%.
The partisan breakdown makes the result especially striking: 66.67% of Republican respondents also expect Democrats to win the House , while every Democratic respondent predicts a Democratic victory.
The Senate forecast has shifted, too. 53.47% now expect Democrats to win the Senate , compared with 46.53% who predict a Republican victory. In March, the numbers ran the other way: 57.46% expected Republicans to win, while 42.54% predicted a Democratic victory.
Party affiliation remains a strong predictor of the Senate forecast. 77.50% of Republicans expect their party to win the chamber , while 84.44% of Democrats predict a Democratic victory. Still, the overall shift from a Republican advantage in March to a narrow Democratic edge in October marks a notable change in congressional expectations.
Congress Rejects Russian Diesel Imports to Lower Fuel Prices
- Yes
- No
View data table
| Group | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Congress | 15.13% | 84.87% |
| Democrats | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Republicans | 25.00% | 75.00% |
84.87% of Congress oppose importing Russian diesel to reduce fuel prices , while just 15.13% support the idea.
Opposition crosses party lines, though it is stronger among Democrats. 94.74% of Democrats oppose the imports , as do 75% of Republicans.
The results show broad resistance to the proposal, with opposition extending well beyond Democratic respondents.
Congress Opposes Keeping National Guard Troops in Washington
- Yes
- No
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| Group | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Congress | 43.77% | 56.23% |
| Democrats | 6.06% | 93.94% |
| Republicans | 81.48% | 18.52% |
A majority of respondents oppose maintaining the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. 56.23% oppose keeping troops deployed , compared with 43.77% who support it.
The partisan divide is sharp. 93.94% of Democrats oppose continuing the deployment , while 81.48% of Republicans support keeping it in place.
The overall result favors ending the deployment, but the party breakdown reveals sharply different views on the Guard’s continued presence in the nation’s capital.
Congress Says No to Meta Muse
- Already have it
- Want to try it
- No thanks
View data table
| Group | Already have it | Want to try it | No thanks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 1.16% | 4.41% | 94.43% |
| Democrats | 0.00% | 4.17% | 95.83% |
| Republicans | 2.33% | 4.65% | 93.02% |
Meta’s Muse smart glasses have little appeal among respondents. 94.43% say they have no interest in trying them , while 4.41% want to try them and 1.16% say they already have.
The response is nearly identical across party lines: 93.02% of Republicans and 95.83% of Democrats say they are not interested.
For a product designed to bring AI and wearable technology into everyday life, the survey results suggest that congressional interest remains limited.
Congress Points to Insurers and Hospitals as Major Health Care Cost Drivers
- Private insurers
- Corporate hospitals
- Big Pharma
- Federal regulations
- PBMs
View data table
| Group | Private insurers | Corporate hospitals | Big Pharma | Federal regulations | PBMs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congress | 37.62% | 31.23% | 17.54% | 7.69% | 5.92% |
| Democrats | 56.00% | 24.00% | 12.00% | 0.00% | 8.00% |
| Republicans | 19.23% | 38.46% | 23.08% | 15.38% | 3.85% |
When asked what drives health care costs, respondents most often point to private insurers and corporate hospitals. 37.62% identify private insurers as the leading cause , while 31.23% choose corporate hospitals. Another 17.54% name Big Pharma, with federal regulations at 7.69% and pharmacy benefit managers at 5.92%.
Democrats are most likely to blame private insurers: 56% select them . Republicans are more likely to identify corporate hospitals, at 38.46%, or Big Pharma, at 23.08%.
The results put insurers and hospitals at the top of Congress’s list of health care cost drivers, while pharmaceutical companies remain a more prominent concern among Republican respondents.