WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: New Dems Release Affordability Agenda to Lower Cost of Living

Earlier this week, New Dems unveiled the Affordability Agenda, the Coalition’s answer to the cost of living crisis. See below for coverage of the agenda in print media, network and local TV, podcasts, and social media. You can read the full Affordability Agenda here.

These Democrats aren't ready to jettison big business as party stalwarts shift left

“Among the road map’s proposals are lightening the federal permitting process for energy projects with the aim of lowering utility costs, reducing homebuilding regulations with the goal of getting affordable housing built more quickly, and developing a national strategy for data centers to spread out the “benefits and costs” of the facilities and make sure they don’t “overburden” certain areas…”

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By Reps. Chrissy Houlahan and Nikki Budzinski

“We believe everyone should be able to afford the essentials — housing, healthcare, food, childcare, education, a retirement and more — with enough left over to buy that car, take that vacation and save for your future. That’s what our Affordability Agenda is about: renewing the promise of affordability to every American, not just to get by, but to get ahead.”

New Democrat Coalition releases a ‘clear strategy’ affordability plan

“The House’s New Democrat Coalition on Wednesday unveiled a plan to tackle the ‘affordability crisis,’ saying it would lower the costs of groceries, health care, housing, family care and energy. The group of 115 center-left lawmakers focuses on what they call ‘common-sense’ solutions as Democrats focus their midterm election campaigns on the economy and voters’ dissatisfaction with high prices.”

Avoiding the Affordability Trap

“My affordability twinge subsided even more later this morning when I caught up on the New Democratic Coalition’s Affordability Agenda, released today along with an accompanying Fox News op-ed from Reps. Nikki Budzinski and Chrissy Houlahan… This framing – also found in Third Way’s ‘Ending Trump’s War on the Consumer’ – is powerful.”

New Democrat Coalition’s Affordability Agenda Focuses on What Matters Most: Lowering Costs for Families

“The New Democrat Coalition’s affordability agenda is a plan that makes the American Dream feel within reach again. We applaud the New Dems for their unwavering leadership on pushing for policy to lower costs for American families.”

Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) spoke to CNBC about the rollout of the Affordability Agenda, touching on the agenda’s plan to build more energy sources and housing to lower costs for hardworking Americans.

Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50) joined C-SPAN to discuss the New Dem Affordability Agenda and its comprehensive plan to lower costs across the board, including by reforming permitting rules to build more energy sources and bring them online quickly.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) joined Simon Rosenberg’s Hopium Chronicles podcast to talk through the details of the Affordability Agenda, the House vote against Trump’s tariffs this week, DHS funding, and the Trump Administration’s failed attempt to indict her.

Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04) was featured on a CNBC video highlighting the New Dem Affordability Agenda, how it contrasts to populist economic proposals, and how Democrats can take back the House in the fall.

Reps. Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) joined The Rebuild podcast to discuss the New Dems' efforts to lower costs through the policies in the Affordability Agenda.

Reps. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Brad Schneider (IL-10) were featured on Spectrum News after holding a press conference to announce the New Dem Affordability Agenda, which focuses on the kitchen table issues that Americans are most concerned about.

Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) spoke to ABC 12 about how the Affordability Agenda is a path forward in Congress to lower costs that can actually amass support from across the aisle.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) spoke to Julie Mason on SiriusXM about the Affordability Agenda and the latest on the House rejecting Trump’s cost-raising tariffs.

@TahraHoops: Great to see @NewDemCoalition continue to center key pillars in tackling the affordability crisis! Their new Affordability Agenda hits five core areas straining American households: groceries, health care, housing, energy, and family care…

@Inclsvabundance: The @NewDemCoalition’s Affordability Agenda understands that to lower housing and energy costs, we need to increase supply. Glad to see this smart, pragmatic plan that embraces several abundance ideas, including all-the-above permitting reform. This is the kind of solutions-oriented thinking we need more of.

@ProgressChamber: 2026 must be the Cost of Living Year. We are glad to endorse the @NewDemCoalition plan to make life more affordable. We need to cut red tape, build more homes and energy, and lower costs across the board.

@RepSalinas: As a member of the @NewDemCoalition, I know that so many working families are struggling to make ends meet. That's why we just released an agenda that provides real, commonsense solutions for how Congress can lower costs on everything from health care to groceries.

@RepMcClellan: People in my district and beyond tell me how rising costs have put strain on their day-to-day lives. Groceries, rent, electric bills, housing, childcare — all have grown further and further out of reach for millions. Honored to join @NewDemCoalition to offer a path forward.

@RepDWStweets: Costs are way too high and the American Dream is out of reach for far too many. Over 42,000 Floridians filed for bankruptcy in 2025, a 20% spike. Families need real solutions. This Affordability Agenda offers a realistic way to lower costs and renew the American Dream.

@RepLucyMcBath: As a member of the @NewDemCoalition, I know how many working families are struggling to make ends meet. Affordability should mean more than survival. That’s why we just released our Affordability Agenda, a workable path forward for lowering costs for families.

@RepDonBeyer: I'm proud to work with my colleagues on the @NewDemCoalition to roll out the New Dem Affordability Agenda.One key element: we have to lower the price of groceries. This starts by advancing smarter, more durable trade policies. Trump’s reckless, sweeping tariffs haven’t done anything to help families out at the grocery store—in fact, they’ve made things worse. New Dems want to restore Congress’s power and responsibility to oversee international trade so that we can roll back the tariffs that are making everything on store shelves more expensive, and hurting so many of our small businesses. Learn more about our affordability agenda here:

@RepBynum: The numbers do not lie. The cost of living is out of control. I worked with @NewDemCoalition to make a plan to fix that.

“Families are feeling squeezed by the everyday cost of living, and it’s vital that lawmakers put affordability at the center of the agenda,” said Neera Tanden, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress. “The New Democrat Coalition’s focus on lowering costs reflects what working- and middle-class families are worried about. Common sense policies that will make life more affordable by boosting competition, expanding supply, and making essential services actually accessible are critical to building an economy that works better for more Americans.”

“The New Democrat Coalition is once again demonstrating real leadership by taking on the issue that matters most to voters: affordability,” said Gabe Horwitz, Senior Vice President for the Economic Program, Third Way. “At a time when families are feeling squeezed, this agenda lays out an expansive, serious plan to make the core building blocks of a middle-class life—from health care and housing to child care and education—more affordable. It’s exactly the kind of forward-looking approach the country needs, and we hope it earns broad support across Congress.”

“The path to affordability is building more. The New Democrats’ plan will lower costs by cutting red tape, constructing four million new homes, and building more energy of all kinds to keep electric bills down. This is how Democrats can deliver on cost of living,” said Adam Kovacevich, CEO, Chamber of Progress.

“Americans need to be able to afford the foundations of a good life – housing, food, health care, utilities, and child and elder care. With their Affordability Agenda, the New Democrat Coalition has put forward a smart, pragmatic plan to put those essentials within reach for working families,” said Derek Kaufman, President of Inclusive Abundance Action. “Especially in their housing and energy proposals, they recognize a truth that has traditionally gotten lost in policy debates: increasing supply is essential to actually lowering prices. We’re also encouraged to see New Dems affirm that to lower energy costs and accelerate clean energy investment, we need permitting reform that creates a fair playing field for all-the-above energy technologies. More Democrats should get on board with that kind of solutions-oriented thinking.”

"The New Dems' Affordability Agenda meets the moment in responding to the needs of hardworking Americans who have been left behind by the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress,” said NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan. “These proposals offer exactly the governing approach craved by NewDEAL state and local leaders as they urge lawmakers in Washington to make the cost of living a top priority through practical policies on issues like housing, energy, and child care. Our network is excited to continue to partner with New Dems on solving what Americans say are their most urgent challenges and on expanding economic opportunity across the country."

"The New Democrat Coalition’s agenda reflects a clear understanding that housing affordability depends on building more homes, faster and at scale," said Mike Kingsella, Chief Executive Officer of Up for Growth Action. "By cutting red tape, flexing existing federal resources to accelerate production and preservation, and investing in construction and financing innovation, this plan aligns federal policy with the realities of a nearly 4-million-home shortage and underscores the New Democrat Coalition’s role as a pragmatic governing coalition focused on solutions that can earn broad support."

“Paid family and medical leave helps Americans make ends meet when it matters most,” said Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “No one should have to miss a paycheck while welcoming a new child or facing a medical crisis. Paid leave lifts families by protecting vital economic support when they need it most – and it allows women and caregivers to keep their jobs and paychecks, helps businesses to retain valued employees and supports a stronger economy for everyday Americans. The New Democrat Coalition is right to include universal paid leave as a key part of their affordability framework that will lower costs for families.”

“The National Association of Home Builders commends the New Democrat Coalition for making housing affordability a top priority,” said Buddy Hughes, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. “The coalition’s housing affordability agenda seeks to cut red tape, expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and allow more accessory dwelling units. Enacting these policies will help builders to construct more attainable, affordable housing that our nation sorely needs.”

“Lowering the Trump tariffs is key to lowering the costs of groceries and household items being shouldered by American consumers, farmers, and businesses,” said Dr. Orit Frenkel, CEO, American Leadership Initiative. “The New Democrats’ plan will lower costs for families and create stability by restoring Congress’ authority to oversee trade and set guardrails on Presidential overreach.”

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