Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to prioritize bringing legislation to the House floor that lowers costs for working families, creates good-paying jobs, and improves the quality of life for all Americans. Grocery prices are projected to increase over the next year, housing affordability remains a major problem, and it’s getting harder and harder for families to make ends meet. Meanwhile, congressional Republicans are advancing a reconciliation package that cuts funding for Medicaid, food assistance, and other key programs that help American families. Rep. Janelle Bynum (OR-05) led this letter.
“Our constituents sent us to Washington with a clear mandate: to address their everyday concerns with practical solutions that make tangible improvements in their lives,” the Members wrote. “In order for us to best serve our constituents, Congress should be considering legislation that addresses lowering consumer costs and improving quality of life.”
Read the full letter here and printed below:
Dear Speaker Johnson,
As freshman Democratic members of the 119th Congress, we are writing to urge you to prioritize bringing forward legislation to the House floor that lowers costs for working families, creates good-paying jobs, and improves the quality of life for all Americans.
Our constituents sent us to Washington with a clear mandate: to address their everyday concerns with practical solutions that make tangible improvements in their lives. Families across our congressional districts are struggling with the rising cost of essentials including groceries, healthcare, childcare, housing, and education.
In 2025, grocery prices are projected to rise by 3.3%, above the historical average, and these increases place additional strain on household budgets, especially for low- and middle-income families. Housing affordability also remains a critical issue, and currently the United States faces a shortage of over 4.5 million homes, leading to increased housing costs and reduced workforce mobility. Additionally, 42% of households spend more than 30% of their income on housing expenses, underscoring the financial strain on American families. Instead of taking up bipartisan legislation to tackle these issues, Congress is moving in the opposite direction by advancing a reconciliation package that cuts funding for Medicaid, food assistance, and other programs that millions of Americans rely on to make ends meet.
In order for us to best serve our constituents, Congress should be considering legislation that addresses lowering consumer costs and improving quality of life. 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.
We urge you to prioritize these issues on the House floor so that Congress can demonstrate responsiveness to the needs of our constituents. Doing so will show the American people that Congress is capable of delivering solutions that matter, strengthening our economy, and improving the quality of life for all Americans. We stand ready to work with you and our colleagues across the aisle to deliver for the American people.
