Many voters interviewed in eight House battleground districts in five states said the war against Iran and tariffs were driving up the cost of living.Iowa voter Darcey Liljequist.NBC NewsAug. 21, 2026, 6:00 PM EDTBy Yasmin Vossoughian and Emily NgoWelcome to the daily Inside Scoop newsletter. The midterm elections have historically served as a referendum on the sitting president’s job performance and it’s shaping up to be no different this year. NBC News’ “Drive to Decision Day” series this week has featured voters voicing discontent about President Trump’s war against Iran, his tariffs agenda and rising cost of living. Let’s get into it.The common chief concern senior national politics reporter Jonathan Allen heard this week as he took the temperature of swing-district voters in five states was, perhaps unsurprisingly, affordability.Just a moment.We are getting your experience ready.