STORY: Under pressure to tame high inflation - and with Democrats desperate to change the narrative ahead of the midterms - on Tuesday President Joe Biden sought to reassure Americans that he understands what they are grappling with and is working to solve the problem.

"I know that families all across America are hurting because of inflation..."I want every American to know that I am taking inflation very seriously and it is my top domestic priority."

Biden said the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with supply chain issues and Russia's war on Ukraine, are to blame for the inflation spike, but that the Federal Reserve will do its job to control it. The U.S. central bank raised interest rates by half a percentage point last week and is expected to roll out additional hikes this year.

But that might not come fast enough.

Republicans are hammering Democrats on inflation in the lead up to November's midterms.

Biden on Tuesday blasted Republicans, saying their policies will make the problems worse.

"My plan attacks inflation and grows the economy by lowering costs for working families, giving workers well-deserved raises, reducing the deficit by historic levels, and making big corporations in the very wealthiest Americans pay their fair share. The other part is the ultra MAGA plan put forward by congressional Republicans to raise taxes on working families, lower the income of American workers, threaten sacred programs Americans count on like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and give a break after break to big corporations and billionaires just like they did the last time they were in power."

Sky high prices have created a serious political problem for Democrats as American consumers stare down higher grocery and gas bills.

With just six months before the Nov. 8 midterms, where Democrats hope to retain narrow majorities in the Senate and House, fewer than half of U.S. adults approve of Biden's handling of the presidency, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll last week - and they rate the economy as the country's most important problem.