Democrats will take aim at Medicaid cuts, Iran war and tariffs, Jeffries says

Democrats will take aim at Medicaid cuts, Iran war and tariffs, Jeffries says House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) on Sunday reaffirmed his party’s goals of reversing cuts to Medicaid, ending the war in Iran and stopping President Donald Trump’s tariffs when Democrats take control of the House in January. Jeffries, who is widely expected to become House speaker in a new term that will also see his party in charge of the Senate, told ABC News’s “This Week” that the American people want to see sweeping change. “The American people clearly want change that’s bold. Change that’s transformational. And change that is dramatic,” he said. “They also want results.” Jeffries said Democrats will move “aggressively during the first 100 days of the new Congress and beyond to keep our word, to fight for an affordable America, to bring about accountability.” Even if Democratic priorities land on his desk, President Donald Trump — who said he probably would become “Mr. Veto” — is virtually certain to resist those plans. Many of the priorities Jeffries outlined aim to address cost-of-living concerns. Jeffries said the war in Iran “made life way too expensive.” He also signaled Democrats’ intent to roll back a number of provisions in Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, such as cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The legislation made cuts to both social-assistance programs, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Democrats are also looking to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that expired at the end of 2025, Jeffries said, adding that he hopes Republicans in the House will work with Democrats to get things done.