House Democrats introduced their incoming class on Nov. 10 and laid out the priorities they plan to pursue when Democrats take control of the chamber in January.
After a closed-door meeting, Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), chair of the House Democratic Caucus, told reporters the new majority will focus on three goals: lowering costs, protecting healthcare, and rooting out corruption.
“Americans sent Democrats to Washington at historic levels, so we would help make their lives more affordable,” Aguilar said.
He said that means undoing President Donald Trump’s tariffs and ending the war with Iran, which he blamed for rising gas prices. Trump said on Nov. 9 that there is a “good chance” the war will end soon.
On healthcare, Democrats would reverse Medicaid cuts and restore Affordable Care Act tax credits that kept insurance premiums low, Aguilar said. The Medicaid reductions were part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Trump signed in July 2025, and the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025.
Building on plans Democrats outlined this week, he said Democratic committee chairs would have the tools to investigate what they alleged to be corruption in the administration.
Aguilar noted the caucus will hold nearly 260 seats in January, with members from rural, urban, and swing districts, including veterans, doctors, farmers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and a crisis negotiator.
Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee—the House campaign arm—said more than 80 new members were introduced at the meeting. She said Democrats won 44 of the 66 Republican-held seats the committee targeted and are expected to hold the largest House majority of the 21st century.
At least 28 of the new members won in districts Trump carried by double digits, she said, and they pledged to represent Democratic, Republican, and independent constituents alike.
“They are representatives, not rubber stamps,” DelBene said.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), the caucus vice chair, said Democrats would organize their work around affordability and accountability. Asked whether Trump would sign Democratic bills, Lieu said the party would send the president legislation on affordability and “see what he does, and hopefully he signs it.”
Trump has said he is ready to work with Democrats but also prepared to exercise his presidential veto power.
Aguilar said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.)—on track to become speaker of the House following Democratic caucus elections next week and a full House vote in January—will decide, in consultation with the caucus, which bills receive the majority’s first 10 bill numbers.
He said those bills would come to the floor during the first week of the new Congress under the opening rules package, before committees are organized, and that the bills represented would be an indication of the Democratic majorities’ priorities.
Aguilar said he expects Jeffries to be elected speaker when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3.
House Democrats hold leadership elections next week. Lieu said it was Aguilar’s last news conference as caucus chair, and that Aguilar is running unopposed for whip and would be the first Latino to hold the post.
DelBene, who is stepping down as DCCC chair, called the new class “mission-driven” and said they are ready to “hit the ground running.”
Andrew Moran and Timothy Frudd contributed to this report.
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