Hakeem Jeffries says House Democrats will "get out of the gate fast" when the new Congress is sworn in Jan. 3. The Senate filibuster and Trump's veto stand in the way.
By Joseph Jackson | TAMPA (Nov. 7, 2026)
The short version
Early House votes will aim to reverse Medicaid cuts and restore the enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits that expired at the end of 2025, AP reported.
Democrats also promise quick votes to end the Iran war and reverse some of Trump's tariffs.
Bills still need 60 Senate votes and must survive a possible veto. Trump posted an image of a red "VETO" hat on election night.
WASHINGTON — House Democrats plan to open their new majority with votes on health care, the Iran war and tariffs, The Associated Press reported Saturday. Florida has more on the line than any state: it led the nation in ACA marketplace enrollment, with 4.47 million people signed up in 2026, WFSU reported.
"We're going to get out of the gate fast," said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is in line to become House speaker.
What comes first?
In their first 100 hours, House Democrats plan to bring up bills restoring the enhanced health insurance subsidies and reversing the Medicaid cuts Trump signed last year, CNBC reported.
The Medicaid changes in that law are expected to cut more than $900 billion over a decade. Enrollment has fallen by about 5 million people, about 7%, since July 2025, according to KFF, AP reported. A House bill extending the ACA subsidies passed with some Republican votes but stalled in the Senate.
In Tampa Bay alone, about 545,000 people were on marketplace plans in 2025, and about 525,000 of them got subsidies, Axios Tampa Bay reported, citing KFF.
What about the Iran war and tariffs?
Democrats will again vote on ending the Iran war or forcing Trump to seek congressional authorization to continue it, CNBC reported. Congress has already held 14 Senate and six House war powers votes on Iran, according to AP.
With the majority, Democrats also gain leverage over Pentagon funding to pressure Trump to end the war, The Hill reported. Voters blamed the war for higher gas, diesel and grocery prices.
Jeffries said five working groups are writing bills to lower costs in areas including housing, energy, groceries and caregiving. Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., told AP that Democrats will also hold public hearings on artificial intelligence.
What stands in the way?
Democrats will have more than 250 seats in the 435-member House, so House passage is likely. The Senate is harder. Most bills need 60 votes there, and Trump can veto what passes.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., warned that a Democratic House would mean "two years of paralysis," AP reported. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer would not say whether he would try to end the filibuster.
Progressive groups called the agenda a good start but want more. Adam Green of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee told AP that passing it will require Democrats to get rid of the filibuster. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, urged the Progressive Caucus to also target corporations that use personal data to set prices.
Democrats are also planning a broad oversight agenda on Trump, his family, his Cabinet and his business allies, CNBC reported. FMNN's look at the incoming chairs and their targets is here.
Related reading
Sources
AP via ABC News — https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/house-democrats-start-majority-focused-boosting-healthcare-ending-137938473
CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/11/04/congressional-democrats-affordability-oversight.html
The Hill — https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6199596-congressional-majorities-trump-challenges
WFSU — https://news.wfsu.org/state-news/2026-01-20/higher-aca-premiums-impact-floridas-enrollment-numbers
Axios Tampa Bay — https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/22/florida-aca-enrollment-drops-subsidies-trump
NPR — https://www.npr.org/2026/11/04/nx-s1-6028572/hakeem-jeffries-midterms-house