Democratic control of Congress gives House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries room to pursue an affordability agenda, while divisions within the caucus will test whether his first-100-days plan can hold.
Jeffries announced his bid for House speaker on Nov. 4, a day after Democrats won both chambers in the midterm elections. In a letter to colleagues, he named affordability, accountability and “American Values” as priorities for the incoming majority.
His proposed opening agenda includes reversing Medicaid cuts, restoring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding, extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and ending President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Jeffries also called for stopping the war with Iran. These are proposals, not enacted policies.
The Associated Press reported that progressive and moderate Democrats each interpreted the election as support for their own approach. Jeffries told the AP he saw shared support among progressives, New Dems and Blue Dogs for reversing Medicaid cuts and extending ACA tax credits. He said the caucus would discuss the broader agenda; the AP also reported that progressive members want to pursue Medicare for All.
Axios separately reported that some incoming progressives had discussed using their votes to seek policy concessions. The report described a strategy under discussion among lawmakers, not a commitment by Jeffries to schedule specific votes.
The AP Voter Poll found that about 60% of voters in households earning less than $50,000 considered the cost of living crucial to their vote. That finding measures voters’ concerns; it does not show whether they support any of Jeffries’ particular proposals.
According to the Office of the Clerk, the 120th Congress is due to convene Jan. 3, 2027, unless a law changes the date. House members are generally sworn in after a speaker is elected, making the leadership vote the next step before the new chamber begins its work.
