Why the "Affordability Agenda" Won't Deliver for Democrats

"Democratic Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Richard E. Neal (MA-01) even introduced a bill called the American Affordability Act, which promises to reduce housing, educational, and childcare costs with a variety of tax credits. Congressional campaign professionals have been urging candidates from coast to coast to adopt an "affordability agenda." And-for good reason-recent polling shows that the cost of living tops the list of voters' concerns."

"In some ways this represents a step forward for the Democrats. It gives the party a unifying, positive, economic message to hammer against a GOP that seems increasingly aloof to the cost-of-living crisis. It's a much better message than the doom-and-gloom democracy-mongering that dominated Kamala Harris's message toward the end of her 2024 campaign. Plus, the "affordability agenda" allows liberals to concede that there is something wrong with the economy without committing them to the barn-burning rhetoric or egalitarian policies that make donors nervous."

Democrats are emphasizing affordability ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, promoting policies to reduce housing, education, and childcare costs. Leaders across the party, from progressives to centrist Blue Dogs, have embraced affordability. Lawmakers introduced the American Affordability Act offering tax credits targeting those costs. Campaign professionals are urging candidates nationwide to adopt affordability messaging as polling shows cost of living is voters' top concern. The agenda provides a unifying, positive economic message contrasted with GOP stances and allows liberals to acknowledge economic problems without extreme rhetoric. Political risks remain because social and cultural positions can undermine affordability outreach to working-class voters.

Read at The Nation