House Democrats debate their agenda - Semafor

Hakeem Jeffries will have the largest House majority in decades next year, and he’s gearing up to use it.

In comments to reporters Wednesday afternoon, Jeffries, set to be the country’s first Black speaker, said his caucus “made a promise to the country that we would fight for an affordable America, and we intend to keep it.”

House Democrats’ initial plans involve voting to repeal cuts to Medicaid enacted in Republicans’ megabill, restore lapsed healthcare subsidies, end the Iran war, and sunset tariffs. He and Democratic leaders plan to talk as a caucus about plans to tackle AI and other issues.

The larger-than-expected House majority along with control of the Senate opens more legislative options for Democrats — though President Donald Trump still has veto power. And Democrats have to contend with the Senate filibuster and a new bloc of progressives angling to push for more ambitious policies.

Newly elected House lawmakers are going to quickly face pressure to deliver on their campaign promises to tackle cost-of-living issues.

“We have to actually start delivering results, and so I think we need to work with anyone to do that,” said Rep.-elect Christina Hines, who flipped a purple seat in Michigan.

In doing so, Democrats will face splits on how much legislating they should attempt with Trump still in the White House and the Senate filibuster intact.

Progressives don’t want to be penned in by the threat of a Trump veto. “Big majorities can get big things done,” Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, told reporters Wednesday.

On the other hand, many centrist Democrats want to limit their work to what can break a filibuster and be signed into law by Trump — a significantly more limited pool of proposals.

Rep. Adam Gray, D-Calif., a Blue Dog Democrat, told Semafor Democrats should “100%” tailor their agenda to what can become law. “How about we spend the majority of our time on stuff that we all agree on?” he said.

But some, like Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., are hopeful to even have the option to debate issues in their caucus. “Being pragmatic does not mean that you can’t be bold,” she said.

In a dear-colleague letter to Democratic lawmakers officially kicking off his speakership bid, Jeffries hinted at additional legislative items. He told lawmakers that on top of affordability issues, the caucus would work on “accountability” concerns like limiting price gouging and restoring “American Values,” like the right to vote.

One major front of House Democrats’ agenda won’t require as many legislative hurdles: their many planned investigations into the Trump administration and the private sector.

“House Democrats are going to lead a Congress that does serve as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch,” Jeffries said Wednesday.