Exclusive: Dems ordered to go all-in on affordability vs. Trump
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 2. Photo: Graeme Sloan/Getty Images.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told top lawmakers this week to adopt a laser focus on the affordability crisis — his chosen attack plan for the 2026 midterms.
Why it matters: The affordability crisis, a 2024 liability for President Biden, now has President Trump and his fellow Republicans on the political back foot, with White House officials insisting things will be better for consumers next year.
- Schumer told top Democrats on Senate committees his plan Wednesday, Axios has learned, directing them to form working groups tasked with crafting cost-cutting proposals across the economy.
- Establishing a clear contrast between Democrats' and the Trump administrations' economic platforms is Schumer' top 2026 priority, he told lawmakers.
- Schumer also discussed the agenda with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) during a Wednesday meeting at the Capitol.
The big picture: Schumer and Democrats think the same economic malaise that played a part in sinking their own party in 2024 will help them reclaim power next year.
- The government's inflation data is still ticking up, and most shoppers say they are paying more at the grocery store than they did a year ago.
- White House officials have publicly said that relief is coming, and Trump last month lifted reciprocal tariffs on products like tea, coffee, beef and tropical fruits.
- Trump this week tried to downplay concerns about cost of living, saying affordability "doesn't mean anything to anybody" during a Cabinet meeting.
Zoom in: Schumer wants lawmakers to focus on legislation to lower costs in four areas: Health care, housing, food and energy.
- It is critical, Schumer told lawmakers, that Democrats be seen as the party fighting to make things more affordable.
- When it comes to the economy, Schumer said this week that Republicans are "in this bubble, they don't get it."
Zoom out: Zohran Mamdani, who rode grassroots support to a historic victory in New York City's mayoral race last month, focused his campaign on affordability issues, as did successful gubernatorial candidates this year in Virginia and New Jersey.
Between the lines: Schumer is moving past another politically tense moment in his leadership of Senate Democrats, after a handful of his caucus helped Republicans end a record-setting government shutdown last month.
- Externally, calls for Schumer to step aside as Senate Democratic leader reached a fever pitch. Internally, no one has challenged Schumer, but some have publicly criticized the party's leadership.
- A strong showing next November could help keep his political detractors at bay.
