ROKK Pulse: Pocketbook Politics
Rising Prices Are Leading to a Bipartisan Call for Corporate Accountability
At a time when almost everything feels polarized, Democrats, Republicans and independents still converge on one core issue: affordability. And they also agree that large corporations are responsible for rising costs and should face greater scrutiny.
In April 2026, our in-house research team surveyed a nationally representative sample of registered voters and across party lines said elected officials should work together to deliver immediate economic relief, including investigating corporations on the rising costs.
That creates rare bipartisan space for aggressive oversight, investigations and policy proposals targeting sectors perceived as driving up costs or protecting profits at consumers’ expense.
Key Findings
1) Rising costs of essential goods and services is keeping Americans up at night, eclipsing their concern about immigration, AI, housing and even the country’s involvement in Iran.
2) Americans view President Trump and his administration and large corporations as equally responsible for the rising costs of goods and services.
3) Registered voters want Congress to take action by working closely together to help American families. Their priorities for the new Congress are to reduce the national debt, pass legislation to control prices, and investigate corporations on the rising costs.
4) Pharmaceutical, big tech and oil and gas companies should be the most concerned, as Americans perceive them to make excessive profits and need to be regulated much more.
5) While holding prices for at least a year improves a company’s reputation, American opinions of corporations are improved more by how the company supports their employees and local communities.
Interested in learning more about ROKK’s Pocketbook Politics study? Register your interest in the form below for a webinar about the data and findings.
