After gaining ground in the November 3 congressional elections, Democrats are setting out an agenda focused on making life more affordable. Their proposals include restoring subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, which expired at the end of 2025, and reversing Medicaid cuts enacted in President Donald Trump’s July 2025 “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The party also wants to end tariffs, arguing that businesses can pass the cost of imported goods on to consumers. Democrats say Congress should have a greater role in trade policy. They have also pledged to raise the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25 an hour and unchanged since 2009, although some states set higher rates.
On foreign policy, Democrats want to force Trump either to end the war with Iran or seek congressional approval to continue it. The article says the war has contributed to rising gasoline prices, but notes that the path to such a requirement remains unclear.
Other priorities include renewed efforts to restrict the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, following an unsuccessful attempt to require them to stop wearing masks. Democrats also want limits on stock trading by members of Congress and have promised to investigate how Trump and his family accumulated wealth, including whether their conduct was proper.
The election results also put Democrats on course to take control of the House of Representatives, after the party captured enough seats to remove the Republicans’ narrow majority. Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become Speaker, said: “Today begins America’s great comeback.” Republican Speaker Mike Johnson expressed disappointment and vowed to continue opposing what he called The Democrats’ “socialist agenda.”
Sources: FAZ.