Inflation in the United States rose 3.7 percent over the past year through September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday, marking the largest monthly increase in five months. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.6 percent in September alone, driven primarily by a sharp rise in energy costs.

Energy prices climbed 5.2 percent in September compared with the previous month and were 20.4 percent higher than a year earlier. According to data from AAA motor club, gas prices surged 34 percent over the past year, a rise largely attributed to ongoing geopolitical tensions related to the conflict with Iran. Elevated fuel prices have also contributed to a 22.4 percent increase in airfares compared to the same period last year.

The release of the CPI report comes just weeks before the midterm elections, presenting challenges for President Donald Trump’s administration. Despite the president’s assertions of a strong economy and his claim of delivering “substantial” improvements for Americans, the inflation data complicated his economic narrative.

Democrats swiftly criticized the administration’s handling of inflation. Representative Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, a leading Democrat on the House Budget Committee, noted that President Trump promised to reduce inflation and costs “on day one” of his second term, but “more than 600 days” later, inflation had risen instead.

Republicans highlighted areas where prices have declined, including certain food items and prescription drugs, in an effort to counter the broader inflation concerns. However, experts indicate that economic pressures remain a significant obstacle for the White House. Oren Cass, chief economist at the conservative think tank American Compass, said the administration was already facing a substantial political challenge due to inflation prior to the latest data.

The persistence of inflation, fueled by rising energy expenses amid global uncertainties, underscores ongoing economic strains for consumers as the midterm elections approach.