Freshman House Democrats call on Johnson to prioritize lowering prices

A group of freshman House Democrats called on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to prioritize bringing legislation to the House floor that would lower costs for Americans. 

Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.) led 32 Democratic House freshmen in writing the letter, which was exclusively obtained by The Hill. 

“Congress should be considering legislation that addresses lowering consumer costs and improving quality of life,” the freshman Democrats wrote. “Congress has the opportunity—and responsibility—to enact meaningful policies that directly respond to the pressing issues facing American families. We believe that proposals addressing affordability, workforce development, infrastructure investments, and enhanced health care access should be priorities for this legislative session.”

In addition to Bynum, the letter was signed by Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.),  Herb Conaway (D-N.J.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), Cleo Fields (D-La.), Shomari Figures (D-Ala.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Adam Gray (D-Calif.), Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernández (D), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), George Latimer (D-N.Y.), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.), John Mannion (D-N.Y.), Sarah McBride (D-Del.), April McCIain Delaney (D-Md.), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Josh Riley (D-N.Y.), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), Derek Tran (D-Calif.), Eugene Vindman (D-Va.), and George Whitesides (D-Calif.).

A Gallup poll released on Wednesday found that 29 percent of Americans said inflation is the most significant financial issue they are dealing with, which is a lower share than in 2024 when it was 41 percent. 

The Commerce Department said inflation cooled this week, with consumer prices increasing just 2.3% in March from a year earlier, down from 2.7% in February. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 2.6% compared with a year ago, below February’s 3%.

However, many economists expect that inflation will rise again in the wake of President Trump’s global tariffs.

Johnson is in the midst of working to pass Trump’s legislative agenda, which Democrats allege will harm average Americans. On Thursday, Johnson and other House Republican leaders met with Trump at the White House to discuss the bill. 

"We had a very productive and encouraging meeting at the White House this morning, and the remaining pieces of 'The One, Big Beautiful Bill!' are coming together very well,” Johnson said in a statement. “We are awaiting some final calculations on a few of the tax components, and we expect to be able to complete that work on a very aggressive schedule and quickly send the bill to the President’s desk."