Hawaii Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, fresh off a reelection win as Democrats retook the House and Senate, is pushing to suspend the federal gas tax to ease pain at the pump — good news for drivers if it happens, though it still needs to pass.

• Tokuda says affordability was the top issue for voters, especially gas, grocery, housing, and healthcare costs.
• She blames high gas and goods prices partly on the war involving the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted oil shipping.
• With Democrats controlling both chambers, she wants to use spending power to cut off funding tied to that war, calling it a way to pressure an end to it.
• She also wants accountability on tariff rebates, saying companies like Walmart and Target got refunds that average Americans did not.
• A government funding deadline on December 11 looms, which Congress must address to keep agencies open and federal workers paid.

Outlook: Expect an early push on gas tax relief and war funding fights once the new Democratic majority is sworn in, with the December 11 funding deadline as the first big test.