House Democrats eye affordability push, anti-corruption agenda if they win majority

House Democrats are beginning to map out a governing agenda in anticipation of a potential return to power next year, placing affordability at the center of their pitch to voters.

Economic concerns are dominating the political landscape, and Americans are still grappling with the high cost of housing, groceries and other essentials. The military conflict with Iran has only heightened those anxieties, rattling energy markets while driving up gas prices and inflation at home.“We’ve got to get Congress working for the American people, and the issue people are talking about at the dinner table, among their friends every moment of every day is what you call affordability, cost of living, just making the economy work for the American people, making life easier, clearing obstacles, and opening up opportunities,” Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) said.

But Democrats also said they plan to wield the chamber’s investigative powers to scrutinize members of the Trump administration and the Trump family, arguing that aggressive oversight is needed to increase transparency and root out any potential corruption. 

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said part of that anti-corruption agenda includes the panel’s ongoing investigation into files related to deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Garcia had recently called for Trump officials, including Vice President Vance, to testify before the committee after an explosive report from The New York Times revealed Vance reportedly told officials huddled in the Situation Room in July........

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