ICYMI: New Dems Tout Affordability Agenda at House Democratic Issues Conference
Yesterday, New Democrat Coalition leaders, including Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10) Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Vice Chair for Communications Marc Veasey (TX-33), NDC Leadership Members Greg Stanton (AZ-04) and Andrea Salinas (OR-06), National Security Working Group Chair Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50), held a press conference at the annual House Democratic Issues Conference to discuss New Dems’ efforts to deliver the lower cost of living that hardworking Americans deserve.
The Members highlighted the recently-released New Dem Affordability Agenda, the Coalition’s policy roadmap to lower five of the core costs contributing to the cost of living crisis: health care, housing, energy, family care, and household essentials like groceries.
You can watch a recording of the press conference here, and read a full transcript of the Members’ prepared remarks below:
Chair Brad Schneider
Good afternoon everyone, and thank you all for being here.
I’m Brad Schneider, Chair of the 115 member strong New Democrat Coalition in the 119th Congress.
I’m privileged to be joined here today by several of my incredible colleagues who serve in New Dem Leadership and as Chairs of our policy working groups: Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski, Vice Chair for Communications Marc Veasey, NDC Leadership Member Greg Stanton, NDC Leadership Member Andrea Salinas, National Security Working Group Chair Gil Cisneros (CA-31), and Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50)
As I like to say, New Dems are the Majority Makers.
With the midterms fast approaching, we know House Democrats need to flip at least 3 seats to win the majority.
New Dems have already endorsed 9 exceptional candidates to get this done, with more to come. You’ll hear more from Greg Stanton on that later.
New Dems are not just the Majority Makers, our members make up a majority of the Democratic caucus, and we’re growing.
I’m proud to say that the voice of that majority is represented loud and clear at the Issues Conference this year.
Two weeks ago, New Dems unveiled our Affordability Agenda – a comprehensive policy roadmap to lower the cost of living in America.
Our Agenda lays out a plan to make life more affordable by focusing on lowering the five of the core costs that are squeezing everyday Americans:
Health care, housing, energy, family care, and household essentials like groceries.
It’s no coincidence that all of these topics are framing the conversations our Caucus is having this week. These are the conversations hardworking people are talking about at their kitchen tables.
As our country approaches the midterm elections this fall, the New Dem agenda is a winning agenda.
Just look at our keynote speaker, New Dem Alum and now Governor Abigail Spanberger who secured her massive victory in Virginia by focusing on these very issues.
Not just to take back the majority, but to govern when we have the gavels. To deliver the lower cost of living and growing economy that hardworking Americans have been denied by the President and Congressional Republicans.
Together, we will get this country back on track.
Now I’ll turn it over to our Vice Chair for Policy, Nikki Budzinski.
Vice Chair Nikki Budzinski
Thank you, Chairman Schneider.
This week, we listened to President Trump speak at length about the so-called "strength" of this economy. But we know the truth – and so do the American people.
While the President spoke, my guest watched up in the gallery. She’s a hardworking mom from Alton, Illinois, whose health insurance premiums JUMPED $500 a month because this administration failed to extend the ACA tax credits.
During his speech, I thought of the farmers being decimated by trade wars and reckless tariffs.
I thought of the millions of families struggling to breathe under the weight of skyrocketing costs for groceries, housing, childcare, and energy.
The President promised to lower costs on Day One. He hasn't just failed to keep that promise – he has actively made life MORE expensive.
New Dems aren't sitting on the sidelines waiting for a miracle. We are ready to lead. When we take back the House in November, we will have a clear, actionable agenda ready to go.
Our affordability agenda isn't just a list of policies; it captures who we are as a movement.
Forward-thinking, bold, and common-sense.
That’s why New Dems hosted 11 roundtables across the country to hear directly from the people about the solutions they actually need. That feedback is the heartbeat of this agenda. It integrates nine different frameworks we’ve developed over the past year – addressing everything from tax reform and housing to energy and innovation.
This agenda is our roadmap back to a government that actually works for the people who power it.
The American people are tired of broken promises. They want results. They want stability. And with this plan, New Dems are proving that we have the vision and the backbone to deliver exactly that.
Now, I’d like to introduce my colleague Representative Andrea Salinas.
Rep. Andrea Salinas
Thank you to my friend and colleague, Rep. Budzinski.
I hear from people all over my district that costs are too high. And nowhere do families have a more constant reminder of Trump’s affordability crisis than at the grocery store.
Just a few weeks ago, I went grocery shopping with my constituent, Sue. We went through some of the items she buys regularly, and we compared the prices we paid that day to what we would have paid a year prior. The results were shocking. Across the board, costs were up. Coffee was up 55%, rice was up 51%, and beef was up 16%.
And it is not just Sue. Nearly three-quarters of Americans worry about their ability to afford groceries. And while families are struggling, President Trump and House Republican’s policies are making the crisis worse.
But NewDems have a plan to make life more affordable. Our agenda is clear: Roll back costly Trump tariffs and protect American workers from unfair practices…drive competition and boost supply by supporting family farmers and small producers…crack down on corporate price gouging… and raise wages so workers can actually afford to live comfortably.
While we all are relieved that the Supreme Court overruled Trump’s tariffs, he immediately tried to impose 10% global tariffs before changing his mind the next day, raising them to 15%. Congress needs to end Trump’s tariffs once and for all and make sure working families can put food on the table.
As the New Democrat Coalition, we have a plan to get this done.
I will hand it over to Rep. Veasey.
Vice Chair Marc Veasey
Good afternoon, and thank you, Andrea. It’s nice to be with all of you. I’m Marc Veasey, and I’m proud to serve as the New Dem Vice Chair for Communications in the 119th Congress.
As you’ve heard from my colleagues, New Dems are putting forward big, bold ideas to tackle our nation’s
biggest problems. And the biggest problem we’re hearing about from our constituents is the cost of living. Across the country, folks aren’t able to afford their insurance bills, utility bills, or trips to the grocery store.
Struggling Americans are looking to Washington for answers. Unfortunately, at this week’s State of the
Union, they heard none from the President. Instead of solutions to lower their costs and improve
their lives, hardworking Americans watched President Trump’s same old, tired routine: two hours of gaslighting and grievances.
That wasn’t a speech about uplifting and uniting
America. It was Trump putting himself on a pedestal, insulting the people he serves, and further dividing this nation. I guess we shouldn’t expect more from a President who still calls affordability a “hoax” while he rakes in the cash from corrupt deals.
But the American people deserve better – and New Dems know how to deliver better. We’ll keep fighting in Congress to make good on our promises and deliver lower prices, affordable health care, and safer communities.
Now, I’ll turn it over to my colleague Greg Stanton.
Rep. Greg Stanton
Thank you, Marc.
Affordability is the defining issue heading into the midterms. Not because we say so. The American people say so.
As our former colleague Governor Abigail Spanberger made clear this week in the Democratic response, voters should ask themselves three questions:
Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the president working to keep Americans safe both at home and abroad? Is the president working for you?
I couldn't agree more. When Americans vote this November, they’ll be guided by these three questions.
Trump says everything is great. We’re sick of winning!
Meanwhile, your grocery receipt, your electric bill and your credit card statement say the opposite.
Trump’s dumb trade war is costing families thousands of dollars. Health care premiums have skyrocketed for over 22 million people. Manufacturing jobs are down. Consumer confidence has hit its lowest point in more than a decade.
This is the Trump economy. And it’s political malpractice for Mike Johnson and Republicans to keep underwriting this!
Here’s what I know: New Dems are going hard on offense. The DCCC just announced the first list of Red to Blue targets, and seven of them are New Dem endorsed candidates.
Think that’s ambitious? Let’s review the record. In 2024, we defended 20 frontline members, flipped 9 seats from red to blue — every red-to-blue flip was a New Dem — and elected 11 candidates in Trump districts. We know how to earn the trust of the American people, and we know what it takes to win.
But this cycle isn't just about what we're against. We’ve got to present a real plan to the American people.
That's exactly what the New Dem Affordability Agenda delivers: a workable, forward-looking path to lower costs on housing, healthcare, groceries, and energy. Call it the New Dem platform. It’s what New Dem incumbents and candidates across the country are running on.
Myself, Brad, Nikki, all of the folks up here are going to be working our asses off every single day until November 3rd.
And when Democrats take back the House, it’ll be because of the New Dems.
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