Democrats win Congress but face hurdles on affordability pledges

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress on Tuesday after campaigning to lower Americans’ living costs, but their ability to deliver will depend in part on Republican cooperation and President Donald Trump, who can veto their legislation.

The party also promised to challenge Trump’s tariffs, seek an end to the war on Iran and scrutinize his administration. Democrats will not take control of Congress until January. Even then, most legislation will need 60 Senate votes to overcome a filibuster, according to Al Jazeera, and the party lacks the two-thirds majorities needed in both chambers to override a presidential veto.

Voters’ concerns about prices helped drive the campaign. More than 80% of midterm voters said they were worried about necessities such as gas, groceries and healthcare, according to the NBC News Exit Poll. In a reversal from 2024, voters said they trusted Democrats more than Republicans on the economy. The poll also found that 69% believed the economic system favors the wealthy, while 31% said it is generally fair.

“We are laser-focused on addressing the affordability crisis that has been crushing everyday Americans,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Wednesday on NBC’s “TODAY” show.

Jeffries has pledged to restore Affordable Care Act insurance tax credits that expired in 2025 and reverse Medicaid cuts and work requirements enacted in Republicans’ 2025 tax bill. Dean Baker, an economist and cofounder of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, told Al Jazeera that Democrats could try to put healthcare measures into government spending bills, which would be harder for Trump to reject.

Democrats could also seek to limit Trump’s tariff authority. But Baker said reversing tariffs may require enough Republican support to overcome a veto, and lower prices would not necessarily follow quickly. “Prices are like rockets and feathers. They shoot up like rockets; they come down like feathers,” Alex Jacquez of the Groundwork Collaborative told Al Jazeera.

The Iran war presents another test. NBC News reported that some Democratic candidates proposed ending it to help lower gas prices, while others backed suspending the federal gas tax. Baker said congressional oversight could put pressure on the administration to end the conflict. NBC News reported that disruptions to oil markets could outlast a pause in fighting.

Among the incoming lawmakers, Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan has advocated making Medicare available to all Americans. “I think we have a mandate to get stuff done,” he told NBC News. Sen.-elect James Talarico of Texas has proposed free prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds, more down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and an end to tax cuts benefiting the wealthiest households. Talarico said he was open to working with Trump on gas taxes and housing costs.

Trump’s position on cooperation is mixed. He said after the election that he was willing to work with Democrats, NBC News reported. But Al Jazeera reported that he told a podcast on Monday, “I’ll veto everything.”

Congressional committees give Democrats another route that does not require presidential approval. They can investigate government actions and summon witnesses, though subpoenas may face court challenges. Al Jazeera reported that Democrats have signaled plans to examine the Trump family’s wealth and possible government favoritism toward donors. Investigations alone would not ensure prosecutions or lower prices.