Affordability Fueled Democrats’ Historic Wins; Whether They Can Deliver Is a Different Story
Affordability drove the vote
Democrats’ historic victories Tuesday followed a months-long push to make the high cost of living central to races across the country. The issue drew voters across political and demographic divides.
More than 80% of midterm voters were concerned about the cost of necessities, including gas, groceries and health care, according to the NBC News Exit Poll. Voters also trusted Democrats over Republicans on the economy, reversing the result from 2024.
Candidates offer different proposals
Sen.-elect James Talarico, D-Texas, has proposed ending tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest households. He said Wednesday he would work with Trump on shared proposals, including suspending federal taxes on gas and diesel and reducing red tape to make housing more affordable.
Other candidates have suggested ending the war in Iran to help lower gas prices and suspending the federal gas tax. During his campaign, El-Sayed focused on living costs and said he would push to make Medicare available to all Americans.
Presidential power limits action
When Democrats take control of both chambers in January, they may be able to pass legislation on tariffs, Iran and health care. Trump, however, can veto bills, and Democrats lack the two-thirds majorities needed to override him.
Trump had promised cheaper groceries, gas below $2 a gallon and more manufacturing jobs. Prices continued to rise, wages struggled to keep pace with inflation, and the country had fewer factory workers than when he took office. Unemployment remained low, but job growth was limited outside areas such as health care. The article says tariffs raised consumer prices and uncertainty around them weighed on manufacturing, while tax cuts were viewed by economists as a bright spot supporting corporate investment. Trump has also dismissed concerns about living costs; at a Georgia rally last month, he said of oil companies’ profits from high gas prices, “We’re making a freaking fortune.”
Key points
- More than 80% of midterm voters worried about the cost of necessities, according to the NBC News Exit Poll.
- Voters trusted Democrats over Republicans on the economy, reversing the result from 2024.
- Democrats plan to pursue proposals on health care, tariffs and taxes after taking control of Congress in January.
- Trump can veto legislation, and Democrats lack the votes to override him.