Democrats Seek Affordability-Focused Agenda for 2026 Midterms

Party leaders say they must go beyond just opposing Trump to win back key voters

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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House Democrats are working to craft a campaign message for the 2026 midterm elections that focuses on addressing the rising costs of living for Americans, rather than just opposing former President Trump. Party leaders say they need to present a proactive policy agenda centered on issues like healthcare, housing, groceries, utilities, and caregiving in order to win back key constituencies that have soured on Trump but are still struggling with economic challenges.

Why it matters

Democrats are hoping to regain control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, but they recognize that simply running against Trump and his unpopular policies may not be enough. By developing a policy-focused campaign message centered on addressing the economic anxieties of voters, they aim to present a compelling vision that goes beyond just opposing the former president.

The details

At their annual issues conference in Leesburg, Virginia, House Democrats discussed crafting a campaign message they're calling the "2026 equivalent of the 'Six for '06'" platform that helped them win the House two decades ago. The core theme is "affordability," with Democrats focusing on five key areas where they believe Americans are being hit hardest by rising costs: healthcare, housing, groceries, utilities, and caregiving. While the specific policy proposals are still being finalized, Democrats made clear they want to present an affirmative agenda of economic reforms, rather than just attacking Trump.

  • The Democrats' annual issues conference took place this week in Northern Virginia.
  • Trump delivered his State of the Union address on Tuesday, just prior to the Democratic retreat.

The players

Greg Stanton

A Democratic Representative from Arizona.

Lauren Underwood

An Illinois Democratic Representative and vice-chair of the party's messaging arm.

Glenn Ivey

A Democratic Representative from Maryland.

Ted Lieu

The vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus and a Representative from California.

Darren Soto

A Democratic Representative from Florida and member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

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What they’re saying

“This cycle isn't just about what we're up against. We've got to present a real plan to the American people.”

— Greg Stanton, Representative (wpri.com)

“Affordability is the message.”

— Lauren Underwood, Representative and vice-chair of the Democrats' messaging arm (wpri.com)

“We've got to make sure we build out the policies and programs that we've talked about this week, and make sure we roll those out for the American people so they see that we've got.”

— Glenn Ivey, Representative (wpri.com)

“We have a cost-of-living emergency in America. The affordability crisis is crushing the hopes and dreams of the American people, and what was Donald Trump's response? He mocked Americans in the term 'affordability.'”

— Ted Lieu, Vice Chairman of the Democratic Caucus and Representative (wpri.com)

“He is less popular than burnt rice and beans in our community, and his collapse in Hispanic support will have reverberations across House seats this November.”

— Darren Soto, Representative and member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (wpri.com)

What’s next

The Democrats plan to finalize their policy proposals and campaign messaging in the coming months as they gear up for the 2026 midterm elections.

The takeaway

In order to win back control of the House, Democrats recognize they must go beyond just opposing Trump and present a proactive policy agenda focused on addressing the economic anxieties of voters, particularly around issues like healthcare, housing, and the rising cost of living.