House Democrats say their first votes will focus on health care, the Iran war and tariffs

WASHINGTON (Nov. 8) — House Democratic leaders say their first votes after taking the majority will focus on health care costs, ending the war with Iran and rolling back some of President Donald Trump's trade tariffs, The Associated Press reported. The new Congress is scheduled to be sworn in on Jan. 3.

Early votes in the House are expected to aim at boosting Medicaid and restoring an enhanced tax subsidy designed to lower premiums for Affordable Care Act health plans, according to the AP. Democrats have said they want to do that work in their first 100 hours, NPR reported, restoring subsidies that expired under the Republican-held Congress and reversing Medicaid cuts Trump signed into law last year, CNBC reported. NPR said those Medicaid cuts are about to take effect.

They are also promising early votes on legislation to stop the war with Iran and to reverse some of Trump's tariffs, the AP reported. NPR said the Iran effort would come through new votes on war powers resolutions and that Democrats want to reassert Congress's authority over trade policy. CNBC reported the planned Iran vote would either end the war or require the president to seek congressional authorization to continue it.

Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democratic leader who is in line to become House speaker, said Democrats will "get out of the gate fast," according to the AP. He told reporters Wednesday that the party would usher in "bold, dramatic change," NPR reported. CNBC has said Jeffries is poised to become the first Black speaker of the House.

Even with majorities in both chambers, Democrats would still be working in divided government. NPR noted that most Senate bills need 60 votes to clear a filibuster and that Trump has at times styled himself "Mr. Veto" while also saying he is open to working with Democrats. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic senator-elect from Michigan, told NPR he wants the new majority "to get to the work of passing legislation," adding, "If Trump vetoes that, it's on him."

Oversight of the Trump administration is also expected to be a major focus once Democrats have subpoena power. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, issued a two-word statement on election night aimed at Trump and his orbit: "Lawyer up," NPR and CNBC reported.