New Delhi, Nov. 11 -- lawmakers elected on promises to make everyday life cheaper, confronting a Federal Reserve whose inflation fight has not yet delivered that relief. Elizabeth Warren is pressing Democrats to act on household costs as she prepares for an expected return to power over financial oversight.

Consumer prices rose 0.4% in October, down from 0.6% in September but still climbing, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported November 10. Shelter, food and energy all became more expensive. The slowdown did not mean that the overall price level fell.

That distinction now divides two Washington tasks often sold to voters as one. Warsh's central bank is responsible for price stability. Warren wants the next Congress to produce concret...