Hawaii Congressman Ed Case says voters sent a clear message against the current administration, but Democrats need to focus on cost-of-living issues rather than chase every fight once they take over Congress.

• Case says the election results were a rejection of the president's direction, not an automatic vote of confidence in Democrats, so his party has to deliver on affordability, healthcare, and childcare or risk losing the majority again.
• A Republican-led push to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth failed, and Case says he'd support impeachment under the right circumstances but believes it should be a last resort used only after careful review, not a weekly move.
• He says tariffs and wars are making the cost of living worse, especially in Hawaii, and that fixing affordability will be his top priority once Democrats control both chambers in January.
• A government funding deadline hits in early December, and Case says his short-term priority is passing funding bills or a stopgap measure to avoid a shutdown, noting Republicans still hold the majority until the new Congress is seated.

Outlook: Expect a tense few weeks before the funding deadline, with a shutdown fight possible, and renewed scrutiny of the Defense Department once Democrats take control of Congress in January.