LEESBURG, Virginia — As the midterm elections loom, House Democrats have rallied at a resort just outside Washington, D.C., in an effort to crystallize a legislative agenda that resonates with their core message of affordability. The gathering aims to transition from broad discussions to concrete policy proposals, particularly focusing on the rising cost of living affecting many Americans.

The retreat includes brainstorming sessions on various sectors such as utilities, housing, groceries, and the care economy. "We know it's not enough to just lay out the issues and what the problems are," stated House Minority Whip Katherine Clark. "Our goal is to have simple solutions that we can put out and lay out that vision, that if you give Democrats the gavels back, this is exactly what we're going to do."

Emerging from the discussions are several consensus proposals like expanding the child tax credit and increasing the federal minimum wage. However, much of the Democrats' unity appears to center on reversing policies from the Trump era, including ending his global tariff campaign and reinstating Obamacare health subsidies.

Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), chair of the House Democrats’ campaign arm, emphasized that eliminating Trump's tariffs should be a top priority communicated to voters, as these have significantly impacted families nationwide.

This strategy mirrors the party’s previous efforts to define their electoral platforms, similar to the Republicans’ 1994 “Contract With America” and the Democrats’ own “Six for ’06” and “A Better Deal” in 2018—campaigns that historically led to significant seat gains and shifts in majority control.

However, the path may be more challenging this time around, with fewer seats in play due to partisan gerrymandering and the potential insufficiency of focusing solely on an unpopular president for electoral success. "We can't be just anti-Trump. We have to have an agenda," asserted Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.).

The specifics of proposed policies, such as a comprehensive housing package touted by Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), remain vague. Frost noted that the details are still under discussion, highlighting the retreat as a crucial step in defining these initiatives.

The Democratic Women’s Caucus highlighted the dual pressures on American families caring for children and aging parents, an issue central to their messaging. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) expressed confidence that the relevance of this issue to both families and businesses would ensure the message resonates well with voters.

As Democrats refine their agenda, they are also conscious that even with a House majority, the immediate enactment of their proposals faces hurdles, particularly with Trump potentially remaining in office and a possibly Republican-controlled Senate. Nevertheless, the groundwork laid now could pave the way for future legislative successes, especially if the presidency shifts in 2028.

Back in Washington, Democratic senators continued the affordability dialogue with a roundtable on rising food costs, pushing for strengthened antitrust enforcement to maintain competitive markets and break up monopolies in critical sectors like meatpacking and groceries.

This week’s retreat represents not just a strategic planning session but a vital opportunity for Democrats to align on a message that they hope will not only resonate with voters but also translate into legislative victories in the coming years.