House Democrats will start their majority focused on boosting healthcare and ending the Iran war

House Democrats plan to open the new Congress on January 3 with a quick run of votes centered on health coverage, as they try to turn their midterm gains into visible results on living costs. Their ranks will top 250 in the 435-seat chamber. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who is in line to become speaker, said the party intends to move fast, according to ABC News.

The first measures are expected to expand Medicaid and revive an enhanced tax subsidy that lowers premiums for people buying Affordable Care Act plans. Democrats also want bills to halt the war with Iran and undo some of President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Passage in the House looks easy given the size of the majority. Enactment is the harder part, since the Senate would need 60 votes and Trump could use his veto. On election night he posted a picture of a red hat reading "VETO."

After those votes, Jeffries said five working groups are drafting proposals to cut expenses for housing, energy, groceries and caregiving. California Representative Ted Lieu said artificial intelligence and data centers will get attention too, including public hearings and legislation setting guardrails.

Summarized by PolitiKool from ABC News’s reporting. Read the full story at ABC News →