Americans’ struggles with high prices were evident as they ousted Republican majorities from the House and Senate last week.

U.S. inflation was higher than expected last month in a sign that the rising prices that powered sweeping Democratic victories in last week’s midterm elections will continue to pose challenges for the White House and Federal Reserve.

Consumer prices rose 3.6% in September compared with a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Thursday, up from 3.4% in August.