Jeffries vows to tackle food costs despite Trump veto threat
Democrats hold both chambers after midterms but face a president who may resist rolling back tariffs and other cost drivers.
By Thabo Hoffmann ·
Grocery prices have dominated political discourse for months, with candidates promising relief from high food costs that voters cite as a primary concern. The economic strain contributed to a Democratic victory in the midterm elections held Tuesday.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that the incoming majority will prioritize lowering prices when Congress convenes in January. He described the election result as a strong rebuke of current policies that he said have increased expenses for everyday Americans. Jeffries told NPR on Friday that the win was a tremendous victory for the public.
The path to cheaper groceries is complicated by the fact that President Donald Trump remains in office and retains the power to veto legislation. Senate Democrats do not hold a filibuster-proof majority, making it difficult to override presidential vetoes. Trump has shown little desire to reverse his signature tariffs or change his approach to the war in Iran, two factors that contribute to elevated food prices.
Democrats plan to address the issue by rolling back tariffs that raise the cost of imported foods, drinks, and industrial inputs like packaging and machine parts. They also aim to mitigate the effects of the Iran war, which has driven up energy costs for transportation and fertilizer prices following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A third factor is an immigration crackdown that has caused labor shortages on U.S. farms.
Political science professor Chris Borick of Lehigh University noted that while the president likely wants to reduce grocery costs, there is substantial distance between his administration and the new Democratic leadership. He observed that the tools available to achieve this goal are not immediately accessible given the political split.
Incoming senators have proposed specific measures to lower costs. James Talarico of Texas intends to defend federal food assistance programs WIC and SNAP, which are undergoing a major overhaul by the Trump administration. Adam Hamilton of Kansas supports a national ban on dynamic pricing in grocery stores. Roy Cooper of North Carolina and other candidates have vowed to block industry mergers that they believe drive up consumer prices.
State-level leaders are also entering the debate on affordability. At least 28 states will have Democratic governors starting next year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Keisha Lance Bottoms of Georgia proposes allowing localities to suspend sales taxes on groceries and baby supplies. Gina Hinojosa of Texas promises to outlaw predatory surveillance pricing and price gouging. Deb Haaland of New Mexico plans to explore policies that waive permitting fees for markets in food deserts.
A September poll by The Kitchen Table Project and Global Strategy Group found that nearly half of respondents listed lowering grocery bills within six months as their most important goal. Lael Brainard, who leads The Kitchen Table Project, said Americans feel squeezed by high prices and expect quick relief from Washington.
