Democrats will take aim at Medicaid cuts, Iran war and tariffs, Jeffries says

Following a seismic midterm election, Democrats have secured large majorities in both the House and Senate, positioning them to take control of Congress when the 120th Congress convenes on January 3. According to WTOP News, Democrats had won at least 254 House seats—well above the 218 needed for a majority—while holding a 54-44 edge in the Senate with vote counting continuing in Alaska and Mississippi. ABC News reported that this majority puts Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on track to make history as the first Black Speaker of the House. More than 100 new members will join the House, marking the largest freshman class since 1932, and dozens of lawmakers-elect are already on Capitol Hill for orientation.

As lawmakers tackle a lame-duck session still controlled by Republicans, Democratic leaders have outlined an aggressive legislative and investigative agenda focused heavily on affordability. ABC News noted that Jeffries stated the party's Day One plans will focus on healthcare, driving down the high price of groceries, gas, and housing, reinstating expired Affordable Care Act health care premium subsidies, and reversing nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts included in the president's signature domestic policy law, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. House Democrats have also indicated they will quickly consider legislation to end global tariffs and act to end the war in Iran. WTOP News reported that lawmakers in both parties have expressed concerns about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the handling of the war, with Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie planning to bring a privileged resolution to impeach Hegseth to the House floor.

Simultaneously, Democratic-led House committees are expected to launch several investigations into the Trump administration, using subpoena power if necessary. ABC News detailed that presumptive House Oversight Committee Chairman Robert Garcia issued a two-word statement after the election: 'Lawyer up.' Garcia plans to pursue public hearings on the Epstein files, subpoena Attorney General Todd Blanche over withheld pages, and examine business dealings, immigration enforcement, and alleged corporate corruption. Presumptive Judiciary Committee Chairman Jamie Raskin plans to investigate the politicization of the DOJ and FBI, the administration's $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization fund,' and pay-to-play allegations surrounding the president's clemency powers. Meanwhile, presumptive Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith intends to push for more transparency regarding war plans and Pentagon spending under Hegseth.

The stunning midterm results have also triggered leadership changes and infighting within both parties. WTOP News and The Hill reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson announced he will not run for his post again, leaving House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan to vie for the Republican minority leader position. On the Republican side, President Trump announced chief of staff Susie Wiles is leaving her role to be replaced by Stephen Miller, and requested the Department of Justice investigate Democrats' oversight threats as extortion. Congress faces roughly five weeks to complete year-end legislative work, including passing the annual defense policy bill and funding the federal government by December 11 to avoid a government shutdown.