House Democrats promise a 100-day cost agenda and prepare oversight of Trump

Jeffries could become the first Black speaker if colleagues elect him

House Democrats have promised a 100-day agenda starting with efforts to lower the costs of gas, groceries and other goods, along with bills to reverse cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid healthcare programs. They are also ready to launch a robust oversight agenda, which House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York described as a way to “hold the crooks accountable.” The Associated Press described the incoming agenda as a 100-day plan and investigations of Trump.

Impeachment of the president or his Cabinet members is an option, the Associated Press reported. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, issued a one-sentence warning: “Lawyer up.” Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, issued his own one-word missive: “Subpoenas.”

Jeffries said, “We hear you.” The party would “work hard to deliver on the dramatic change that you deserve,” he said.

The Associated Press said Democrats will be under pressure to quickly show that they have solutions for high gas and grocery prices, the war in Iran and concerns about the direction of the country.

The 2026 midterm results that gave Democrats control of both chambers came with wide margins in the House and the Senate, and Republicans lost seats from coast to coast, including many surprising places in between. The Associated Press said voters rejected the president’s party “for the promise of something different for the country” and that the swelling margins “underlined a deep sense of voter anger and concern over the economy and the state of democracy.” The Associated Press described the outcome as “a fundamental reshaping of power in Washington, with new opportunities and challenges for governing,” and the results set up divided government after two years of unified Republican control.

The new Democratic House majority sits well past the 218 seats needed in the 435-member chamber, and Senate Democrats hold at least 54 of 100 seats, giving Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer room to maneuver. “Five words for the American people: Relief is on the way,” the New York senator said.

For Jeffries and his leadership team, it will be their first time in the majority, managing a class of newcomers that the Associated Press described as including “a handful of far-left democratic socialists.”

President Donald Trump struck a conciliatory tone after the results, suggesting he could work with the Democrats while warning of gridlock ahead and threatening to use the power of the presidential veto to strike down their agenda. “I don’t want to be just sitting there for two years vetoing everything,” he told Politico.

The incoming Senate class will also break barriers. With the election of Democrat Julia Stratton of Illinois, the Senate will for the first time have three Black women in office. Democrat Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota will be the first Native American female senator, Chris Pappas of New Hampshire will become the first openly gay male U.S. senator and Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan will be the first Muslim to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Rarely has a president’s party held on to power during midterm elections. The Associated Press said the result carried echoes of Trump’s first term, when Republicans faced a voter revolt that sent Democrats to the House majority, and of the Barack Obama era, when the Republican tea party swept to power.

Republicans enter the lame-duck session with reduced numbers. House Speaker Mike Johnson had quipped he may return to his Louisiana hometown of Shreveport to start a lawn care company if the Republicans lost power, and his future plans will be closely watched as rivals seek to replace him. Republicans may be anxious during the post-election lame-duck sprint to accomplish as much as possible in their remaining weeks in power, but hopes for another GOP-only priority package like their big tax breaks and spending cuts bill seem dim as defeated lawmakers prepare to go home at the end of the year.

Conservatives have also eyed the opportunity for Trump to nominate another justice to the Supreme Court while Senate Republicans still hold a majority. However, no current justice has announced any intent to step aside.

The government could be headed toward a federal shutdown next month if Congress fails to pass a funding bill to keep operations running. In the weeks ahead, the parties will hold internal leadership elections as members-elect arrive for freshmen orientation at the Capitol, and the House will choose its speaker as one of the first votes when the new Congress convenes Jan. 3, 2027. Jeffries would make history as the first Black speaker of the House if his colleagues elect him to the job.

Associated Press writers Tom Beaumont, Joey Cappelletti, Jill Colvin, Kevin Freking, Mary Clare Jalonick and Will Weissert contributed to this report.