Everyday costs are crushing American families — here’s how we lower them
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For millions of Americans, affordability is not an abstract policy debate. It’s the daily stress of choosing between food and prescriptions, rent and childcare, gas and electricity. Families everywhere feel this, and they are right to demand answers.
More than a year after his self-imposed “day one” deadline to cut costs, the President and his Republican allies in Congress have not only failed to lower the cost of food, housing, or health care, they are actively and deliberately making life more expensive for hard-working Americans.
The American people need a real plan to make life more affordable. Instead of addressing the problem, the president dismissed affordability as a “fake narrative” that “doesn’t mean anything.” But there’s nothing fake about the families left behind, the workers stretching their paychecks, or the elderly worrying about whether they’ll grow old with dignity.
That’s why we worked with our colleagues in the New Democrat Coalition to craft the New Democrat Affordability Agenda, which lays out a common-sense road map for lowering five key costs that crush working Americans: health care, housing, energy, family care, and everyday household items like food.
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The New Democrat Coalition is the largest Democratic ideological group in the House, with 115 lawmakers focused on breaking gridlock and getting things done. Our agenda isn’t just a whitepaper request list; It is a viable path forward based on competition, expanded supply, and policies that put working families first.
Groceries and Household Supplies
Prices at checkout remain high; This is partly because supply chains are fragile and markets are increasingly concentrated. President Trump’s trade policies have made the situation worse. Blanket tariffs work like a sales tax on everyday goods, and we all pay the price. Recent analysis estimates that tariff-related costs add about $1,600 per year to the average household’s spending. The Affordability Agenda strengthens domestic supply chains, supports families and small farmers, and encourages competition to lower prices.
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healthcare
Health care costs continue to rise faster than wages, putting both families and employers in a difficult position. Recent Republican healthcare legislation will make the situation worse by shifting costs to households and small businesses. Independent estimates predict that more than 15 million Americans will lose coverage, while more than 22 million will see premiums double or triple. When insurance coverage disappears or becomes unaffordable, families delay care and employers face higher costs that limit hiring and wage growth. Our approach protects health coverage, increases transparency, strengthens accountability, and expands competition to ensure healthcare is affordable and predictable.
Housing
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The United States is facing a severe housing shortage estimated at nearly four million homes nationwide, and the consequences are rising rents and diminishing pathways to homeownership. Years of red tape and outdated regulations have limited new construction. Our agenda removes these barriers and promises to build at least four million new homes over the next decade. More supply won’t solve everything overnight, but without it, affordability will remain unattainable.
Energy
Household energy bills are rising due to underinvestment, allowing for delays and uncertainty, slowing progress. Families shouldn’t be left wondering whether next month’s electric bill will erode their budget. Our plan accelerates responsible energy development and modernizes the electric grid to keep electricity reliable and affordable.
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Family Care
Child care and elder care costs force families to make impossible choices. Many parents reduce their work hours or leave the workforce altogether because care is unavailable or unaffordable. Many seniors worry about how to age safely. We work to expand access to child and elder care so families can work, care for their loved ones, and plan for their future.
Affordability is a key component of the government’s promise to the American people: If you work hard in this country, you should be able to provide a safe and comfortable life for yourself and your family.
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We believe everyone should be able to afford basic needs like housing, health care, food, child care, education, retirement and more; We believe there should be enough left over to buy that car, take that vacation, and save for your future.
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That’s what our Affordability Agenda is all about: renewing the promise of affordability to every American not just to get by, but to get ahead.
This has nothing to do with ideology. It’s about whether Washington is willing to take affordability seriously and act urgently. Families across the country are asking for help. The New Democrat Affordability Agenda is our answer.
Democrat Chrissy Houlahan represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.
