Democrats have taken control of both chambers of Congress in the U.S. midterm elections and are preparing to launch a legislative offensive aimed at overturning key policies of President Donald Trump. Led by Hakeem Jeffries, the likely first Black Speaker of the House and known as a 'Trump target,' the party plans to push for the repeal of tariffs and an end to the war in Iran.
According to CNBC on November 4, Democrats intend to repeal Trump's extensive tariff measures immediately after the new Congress convenes in January. They also plan to introduce legislation that would strengthen congressional authority over import tariff decisions and require congressional approval to continue or end the war in Iran.
Additionally, Democrats aim to restore expanded health insurance subsidies and reverse budget cuts to Medicaid for low-income individuals that were implemented during the Trump administration within the first 100 hours of the new House session.
This legislative agenda is focused on addressing rising living costs exacerbated by Trump's tariff policies and the ongoing war in Iran. An NBC News exit poll indicated that over 80% of midterm voters expressed concern about the prices of essential goods such as gasoline, groceries, and healthcare.
In an interview with MSNBC, Jeffries emphasized the need to prioritize solutions to cost-of-living issues over political retribution. He gained prominence as a House impeachment manager during Trump's impeachment trial in 2020 and stated, "The American people do not want us to seek revenge. They want us to deliver results on their behalf because the cost of living is too high." He identified cost of living, healthcare, and the Iran war as key issues in the midterm elections, stressing the importance of the president ending the Iran war before the new Congress begins.
Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat likely to become the next chair of the House Judiciary Committee, also stated that he would work to eliminate Trump's tariffs on allies. He told Canadian broadcaster CBC, "We will end these tariffs. That is why we reclaimed Congress. We want to send a message that the forces of democracy and freedom won in this election and will move quickly to restore normal relations with our closest allies, including Canada."
As expectations rise for an early end to the Iran war, international oil prices fell more than 8% on November 4, while shares of automakers from South Korea and Japan, including Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota, surged amid hopes for the repeal of Trump's tariffs.
Actual Results 'Uncertain'
However, significant obstacles are anticipated before the Democrats' cost-of-living promises translate into actual policy. NBC News pointed out that even with control of both chambers, Trump could veto any legislation. The Democrats currently lack the two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate needed to override a presidential veto.While Trump has expressed a willingness to cooperate with Democrats following the election, it remains uncertain whether this will lead to meaningful legislative achievements. In the 2018 midterms, when Democrats regained control of the House, Trump also offered to collaborate but failed to achieve significant legislative results.
Reducing the burden of living costs is itself a challenging task. While Democrats propose to lower consumer burdens through tariff repeal and ending the Iran war, experts warn that disruptions in the global oil market caused by the war may persist even if hostilities cease.
Meanwhile, Iran has assessed the U.S. election results as a political victory for itself while maintaining a hardline stance against the U.S. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stated in a statement, "It is a great illusion to expect that partisan changes within the U.S. ruling system will alter actions," warning that if the U.S. resumes attacks, the war will escalate further.
Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, also stated on social media platform X, "The Iranian people have not only inflicted a strategic defeat on Trump on the battlefield and in the Strait of Hormuz but have also delivered a political defeat in Washington."
He added, "In the meantime, the American people will bear the enormous costs of the wars initiated by Trump, and anyone who opposes Iran will pay a heavy price from the battlefield to their own homes."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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