As Democrats seek to define a cost-of-living agenda ahead of the midterms, House members in the party’s left flank let loose an opening salvo Wednesday.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus laid out 10 prospective bills aimed at lowering the costs of prescription drugs, utilities, gas, child care, housing and more.
“This is the Progressive Caucus’ idea of what government should be doing for you every single day,” Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), the group’s chair, told reporters. “We think these ideas are not just progressive, but they are common sense. This is what all House Democrats should be able to unify around.”
Democrats have made “affordability” the centerpiece of their 2026 messaging, seizing on polling that shows broad dissatisfaction with the economy under a Republican trifecta.
Despite the success that New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Govs. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey saw in using that agenda to win elections last year, House Democratic leaders have yet to outline detailed legislative plans for a potential turn in the majority.
That vacuum has left room for the left and center wings of the party to propose their own visions.
The centrist New Democratic Coalition laid out their “Affordability Agenda” earlier this year, and while the CPC’s “New Affordability Agenda” targets many overlapping issues, it also addresses key progressive priorities such as guaranteeing paid time off and abolishing super PACs.
During a news conference Wednesday, progressive leaders emphasized they want take on “corporate greed” as a vehicle to lower costs — an idea they hope will gain momentum with the party writ large.
Casar said he has been discussing these proposals with House Democratic leaders since he became the CPC’s leader in 2024. He called them “the kinds of consensus bills that we can govern on.”
“These bills win in Trump districts and Democratic districts and in swing districts all across the country,” he said.
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