Hakeem Jeffries puts affordability at centre of Democrats’ midterm campaign

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that US House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries launched a midterm campaign agenda focused on affordability at a rally in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 2026, with 100 days left before the elections. Speaking alongside Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Democratic congressional candidate Bob Brooks, Jeffries framed the party’s “Fighting for an Affordable America” message as central to Democrats’ effort to regain control of the House of Representatives.

According to the report, Jeffries argued that everyday costs have risen under President Donald Trump and Republican control of Congress, pointing to groceries, housing, healthcare, petrol and retirement security. He said Democrats would seek to reduce living costs, protect Medicare and Social Security, and address alleged price gouging. Al Jazeera noted, however, that his speech offered limited detail on specific legislation or benchmarks Democrats would use to judge success.

Jeffries also made ethics and corruption part of the campaign pitch. He pledged that Democrats would pursue restrictions on stock trading by the president, vice president and members of Congress, seek the release of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and hold officials or businesses accountable for abuses if Democrats win the House.

The affordability theme reflects a broader political concern as many US households face pressure from higher costs. Al Jazeera cited government data showing grocery prices up 33 percent since early 2019 and a May Reuters/Ipsos poll finding broad public dissatisfaction with the cost of living and Trump’s handling of it. Jeffries also criticized Trump’s Iran policy, saying money spent on the conflict contrasted with Republican inaction on household expenses.