House Democrats focus on affordability in 3-day retreat to take back the majority
House Democrats focus on affordability in 3-day retreat to take back the majority
LAUREN PELLERThu, February 26, 2026 at 1:33 AM UTC
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LEESBURG, Virginia -- One day after President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, House Democrats gathered Wednesday for a three-day policy retreat focused on affordability to plot out their path to retake the gavel.
"Donald Trump's address showed why it's critical that Democrats take back the House and make Hakeem Jeffries the next speaker, and the work that we do this week will help make that a reality," Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar said at the kickoff news conference at the Lansdowne Resort.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a former member of the House who delivered the Democratic response to Trump's address, was to speak to the caucus Wednesday night.
Key takeaways from Trump's State of the Union address
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Trump's speech "a disgraceful performance."
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Rep. Pete Aguilar and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries listen as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the Capitol, Feb. 24, 2026.
"There was no substance in that speech but a lot of snake oil. No vision for the future of the country but a lot of vitriol," Jeffries said. "And now that we are on the other side of it, it's going to be a sprint to November 3rd."
Jeffries called the outbursts at the address from several Democrats, including Texas Rep. Al Green, "appropriately restrained and forceful."
Jeffries condemned Trump's social media post Wednesday calling out Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.
"Can I just say the xenophobic rhetoric of Donald Trump directed at two members of the House, Democratic caucus, of course, is sadly not surprising, but it's disgraceful, unpresidential, unpatriotic and un-American. But that's Donald Trump, and that was on full display for the American people yesterday," he said.
Spanberger hits Trump on affordability and immigration tactics in State of the Union response
Whip Katherine Clark argued that her decision to skip Trump's address does not reflect a divide among leadership.
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"So, there's no light between us in leadership or in the Democratic caucus on whose side we are on," she said. "The State of the Union should be about the American people, and that is what the Democratic caucus showed strongly in the chamber and outside of the chamber last night," she said.
Focus on affordability
Jeffries said Democrats are meeting this week to discuss a "transformational path forward to address the Republican affordability crisis here in America."
A focus over the next three days is affordability, the leaders said.
"This year's theme is fighting for an affordable America. While Republicans have used their majority to give billionaires tax breaks, our caucus is working tirelessly to bring solutions to drive down costs," Aguilar said.
Trump touts 'roaring' economy in State of the Union. Some claims were misleading
Democrats will be meeting with labor leaders, policy experts and current and former government officials.
"We believe that the best is yet to come in this country, but it won't be delivered by Donald Trump and Republican sycophants in the House and in the Senate. It will come when Democrats take back control of the House, laying a foundation to end this national nightmare," Jeffries said.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images - PHOTO: Rep. Suzan DelBene speaks during a news conference with House Democratic leaders on the eighth day of the government shutdown in the Capitol Visitor Center, Oct. 8, 2025.Bullish about taking the majority
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Suzan DelBene appeared bullish on Democrats' ability to retake the majority, pointing to strong candidates and a desire from voters for there to be a check on the Trump administration.
"Democrats are in the strongest position yet to retake the majority this fall, and come next year, we will have the gavels," she said.
"House Democrats on the verge of a takeover," Jeffries declared, saying Republicans have failed to address high costs of living for Americans.
Should they regain control of the House, Democrats say they plan to use their subpoena power to investigate the Trump administration.
"When it comes to oversight and accountability, it is a target-rich environment," Aguilar said.
Source: “AOL Breaking”
