With 100 days left until the U.S. midterm elections, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries used a campaign rally in Pennsylvania to launch the Democratic Party’s “Fight for an Affordable America” agenda, making affordability central to the party’s push to take back the U.S. House of Representatives.
“If you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to live a middle-class life, a comfortable life, an affordable life, a fulfilling life,” Jeffries said Sunday in a campaign speech for Democratic House candidate Bob Brooks in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, one of several Republican-held seats that Democrats are targeting.
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“You know what that looks like: a well-paying job, good housing, good healthcare, good education for your children, and at the end of the day, a good retirement,” he added.
Here’s what you need to know about Jeffries’ speech and the Democratic Party’s campaign message.
What are the main takeaways from Hakeem Jeffries’ speech?
Throughout his speech, Jeffries repeatedly returned to the theme of affordability and the rising cost of living, viewing everything from food and housing to health care through that lens, arguing that Americans are paying more for everyday necessities under President Donald Trump and Republican control of Congress, while pledging to lower the cost of living if Democrats regain control of the chamber.
But beyond his broader priorities, he offered few specifics about how Democrats would measure success or what specific policies they would pursue to reduce costs.
While affordability dominated the talk, Jeffries also focused on government ethics and corruption. He promised to crack down on price gouging. Prohibit stock trading by the president, vice president, and members of Congress. Release files related to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. And if the Democratic Party returns to power, it will “hold criminals accountable.”
What is affordability? Why are Democrats making it a top mid-term issue?
Democrats’ focus on affordability comes as many Americans continue to feel squeezed by rising prices for everyday necessities. Grocery prices have risen 33% since the beginning of 2019, according to U.S. government data, forcing many households to look for discounts, switch to cheaper brands or cut back on their grocery purchases.
Additionally, housing is becoming more and more unaffordable as home prices have soared during the COVID-19 pandemic and rising interest rates have further pushed up mortgage costs. President Trump’s war with Iran also put pressure on household finances. In May, Moody’s Analytics estimated that households spent an average of $750 more because of the war.
A May Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 74% of Americans believe the cost of living is heading in the wrong direction, while 73% disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the problem, both the highest levels during the president’s second term.
Democrats are increasingly betting on affordability as a universal issue, but President Trump has called it “false language,” blaming Democrats for the affordability crisis and taking credit for reducing affordability.
Why did Jeffries say Democrats would lower the cost of living?
Jeffries did not provide a detailed agenda for the bill, but he did outline his priorities if Democrats retake the House.
He promised to lower the cost of groceries, gas and housing, make health care more affordable and protect Medicare and Social Security. He also blamed Republicans for allowing the Affordable Care Act tax credits to expire and cutting Medicaid, while vowing to hold corporations and others accountable for driving up costs.
“For Americans, the high cost of living is not an academic issue; it is a cold reality,” Jeffries said.
How does Jeffries link President Trump to the rising cost of living?
Jeffries has repeatedly accused Trump and Republicans of making everyday life more expensive, accusing them of enriching themselves and wealthy donors while ordinary Americans struggle.
He pointed to President Trump’s growing personal wealth, saying “he has added more than $2 billion to his bank account” since taking office, while his sons have “earned hundreds of millions more.”
Jeffries criticized the Trump administration for giving tax breaks to billionaire donors at the expense of Medicaid.
“If you’re a member of the Trump cartel or one of President Trump’s billionaire donors, you’re probably doing very well. But that’s not the case for ordinary Americans who are struggling to make ends meet,” he said.
He also accused Republicans of believing “the affordability crisis is a hoax” and said voters should give Republicans their “pink votes” in November.
Why did Mr. Jeffries attack President Trump’s policy toward Iran?
Jeffries factored Iran into his economic pitch, saying Republicans were willing to spend money on President Trump’s “reckless war of their own choosing in Iran” while failing to make life more affordable at home.
“The cookie jar is empty when it comes to making life more affordable,” he said.
Near the end of his speech, Jeffries brought up Iran again in the context of his broader message, telling voters they could choose “an America that ends Donald Trump’s reckless war in Iran” alongside countries that lower the cost of food, gas, housing and health care.
