Democrats put healthcare, food aid and Trump oversight atop their House agenda

President Trump has been touting a VETO-branded hat while Democrats prepare to send him bills aimed at lowering healthcare and food costs.

The first list: Democrats say they want to restore enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, reverse Republican cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food assistance, reassert congressional authority over tariffs and bring new votes aimed at ending the Iran war. NPR reported that party leaders want action on the healthcare, tariff and war measures in their first 100 hours.

The agenda follows a midterm campaign built around the cost of groceries, gas, housing, utilities and healthcare. More than 80% of voters said they were worried about the price of necessities including gas, groceries and healthcare, according to the NBC News Exit Poll. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries put the message more simply: “We ran on affordability. We won on affordability. And now it’s our job to govern on affordability.”

The practical problem: Winning Congress is not the same thing as winning a bill. Most Senate legislation needs 60 votes to clear a filibuster, and Democrats do not have the two-thirds majorities needed to override a presidential veto. Trump has offered mixed signals, saying he could work with Democrats while also embracing the veto message.

Democrats could use the budget reconciliation process, which allows certain budget-related legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority, for some healthcare or fiscal measures. But it has rules of its own, and it cannot turn every campaign promise into a shortcut. The party has not settled on one larger economic program, either. Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing Medicare for All, while other Democrats are emphasizing narrower steps to expand coverage and reduce costs.

Oversight is not on hold: House Democrats say they will investigate alleged corruption, self-dealing, no-bid contracts and immigration enforcement in the Trump administration while pursuing legislation. Rep. Pete Aguilar said Democrats are not planning to impeach Trump, but said the House would pursue accountability. Reps. Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia are expected to lead major parts of that work through the Judiciary and Oversight committees.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has urged Democrats to move quickly on a broader menu that includes raising the $7.25 federal minimum wage, restoring aid programs and tariff relief. That is a wish list, not the party’s agreed program. The thing to watch in January is whether Democrats can keep a caucus spanning Medicare for All supporters and newly elected moderates focused on the smaller package they largely agree on.