Overview of What Democrats Plan to Do with Their Power in Congress
This episode of CNN’s One Thing Midterms looks at how Democrats may use their newly expanded House majority after the midterms. CNN senior reporter Sarah Ferris explains that Democrats are still absorbing the scale of their win, but the party’s early priorities are already coming into focus: affordability, health care, oversight of the Trump administration, and strategic use of congressional power rather than symbolic “hearings for the sake of hearings.”
Democratic Leadership and the New House Majority
Hakeem Jeffries’ path to Speaker
- Hakeem Jeffries is expected to become House Speaker.
- Ferris says there is no real challenge emerging to his speakership.
- Democrats are still processing their victory and figuring out what governing will look like with a much larger majority.
A week-one agenda
Jeffries has publicly signaled a first-wave agenda centered on:
- Reversing Medicaid cuts
- Extending Affordable Care Act tax credits
- Restoring health care subsidies that Democrats see as central to their “affordable America” message
What Democrats Want to Do With Their Power
Focus on affordability, not theater
Ferris emphasizes that Democrats do not want empty oversight hearings. Instead, they want investigations that connect directly to voters’ lives and pocketbooks.
Their approach is likely to be:
- Targeted oversight
- Corruption investigations with clear public impact
- Hearings tied to the cost of living and misuse of taxpayer dollars
Likely oversight targets
Democrats are especially interested in:
- Actions by the Trump administration that increased costs or shifted money away from Americans
- Potential profiteering by oil and gas companies
- Oversight of federal spending and corruption that resonates politically
Ferris says Democrats are less interested in flashy topics like the Qatar jet or Trump ballroom unless they can connect them to a broader accountability story.
Iran, War Powers, and Possible Impeachment
Pressure on Trump over Iran
One major area of conflict is U.S. involvement in Iran. Democrats may try to:
- Pass a war powers resolution
- Block or defund further military action
- Force Republicans to take politically difficult votes
Ferris notes that with the new majority, Democrats may be able to attract enough Republican support to create a serious challenge for the White House, even if not enough to overcome a presidential veto.
Pete Hegseth impeachment vote
A major surprise in the episode is that the House is expected to vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth before the new Congress is seated.
Key details:
- Rep. Thomas Massie is reintroducing a privileged impeachment resolution
- The House must bring it up quickly
- Republican sources expect the vote to pass in the House
- The Trump administration could avoid the vote only by firing Hegseth first
Ferris describes this vote as both a political test and a proxy for the broader question of war and accountability.
Republican Strategy in the Minority
Republicans still centered on Trump
Ferris argues that Republicans remain tightly tied to Donald Trump, even after their midterm losses. But next Congress, they will likely:
- Have less procedural power
- Rely heavily on Trump as their main source of influence
- Shift focus toward winning back seats in 2028
Their message going forward
Republicans are expected to argue that:
- Democrats won by exploiting voter anger over prices
- The GOP needs to show it understands economic frustration
- They want to reclaim competitive seats Trump previously won
Mike Johnson, meanwhile, has said he will not seek leadership again next cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Democrats are entering the next Congress with real power and a clear message: affordability first.
- Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become Speaker and is already laying out a legislative and oversight agenda.
- Expect aggressive but strategic oversight, not random showmanship.
- Iran and war powers could become a major flashpoint between Democrats and the Trump administration.
- A surprise impeachment vote targeting Pete Hegseth may happen before new members are sworn in.
- Republicans are regrouping around Trump and 2028, while adjusting to life in the minority.
Closing Note
The episode ends with a programming update: One Thing Midterms is wrapping up, and CNN says future political coverage will continue in other feeds and shows.