Newly elected House members arrived in Washington on Sunday for orientation, and freshman lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said they want to focus on lowering the cost of living for Americans following an election that shifted power to the Democrats.
Several Democratic representatives-elect told CBS News their priority is making life affordable for the American people, but they also plan to hold the Trump administration accountable. "We can walk and chew gum, but lowering people's cost of living is the most important," said Scott Wiener, who was elected to represent California's 11th Congressional District.
Republicans, who have suddenly found themselves in the minority despite a historic effort to redraw several states' congressional districts in their favor, said the party has to figure out a way forward. "There was a message sent last Tuesday night, and I hope, as a new member, I can be on the ground level of figuring out how we can reconnect and better message to the needs of the American people," GOP Rep.-elect Chris Stigall of Missouri's 6th Congressional District said Sunday.
Adrian Boafo, the Democratic Rep.-elect for Maryland's 5th Congressional District, said the question for the House caucus is "what's the affordability agenda going to look like?" Boafo said his focus will be on federal workers in his district, citing 85,000 federal workers there and 30,000 in the state who have been laid off. "Federal workers is probably the number one, two and three priority for me," he said.
For Connecticut's 1st Congressional District, Democrat Luke Bronin said Democrats "cannot be afraid to do big things." "I think as a Democratic Party, we have to bring a whole new energy to this fight," Bronin told CBS News, pointing to healthcare, the housing market and electricity prices. "I want to see us go on offense." He added that the party must also be serious about oversight and accountability, calling the corruption now visible "unlike anything we've seen in our history."
GOP Rep.-elect Charlie Hatcher of Tennessee's 5th Congressional District, who defeated Ogles in the primary after Ogles sparked backlash for saying "Muslims don't belong in American society" on social media, said he wants to focus on diesel prices. "Price of diesel fuel is affecting most everybody, especially farmers. And I'm a farmer, and that's one of my top issues as well," Hatcher said. "Transportation, logistics, groceries .. It's all connected to that."
With Democrats making gains in areas ranging from the suburban Northeast to parts of South Texas once viewed as increasingly GOP-friendly, new Republican House members said they have to work with Democratic colleagues to get things done. "I think first and foremost we have to recognize that my party is now in a significant minority," said Chris McGowan, GOP Rep.-elect for Iowa's 4th Congressional District, adding that Republicans look forward to collaborating on issues of shared interest.
Rep.-elect Jon Bonck of Texas' 38th Congressional District told CBS News he is also open to bipartisanship. "If it's fixing housing affordability, deregulating industries, or getting the government out of healthcare, I'd love to meet Democrats that will do those kinds of things, cut taxes, give more money back to people," Bonck said.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus also held an introductory press briefing Sunday with new members-elect. Rep. Greg Casar, the chair, announced the caucus is welcoming at least 25 new members, "the largest class of progressive members," and argued that with a big majority Democrats can deliver on promises they have "failed" to keep, such as Social Security expansion and taxing billionaires. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Chair Emerita, laid out the priorities as "taking on corruption, taking on affordability, making sure we end endless wars."
