A group of centrist Democrats is poised to release a new economic agenda aimed toward lowering costs and cooling inflation, marking the latest effort by the party to seize control of economic messaging ahead of the 2024 election.
The New Democrat Coalition, a caucus made up of nearly 100 House Democrats, unveiled the framework on Tuesday, touting its agenda as one that would lower costs while also building the middle class from the “middle out and bottom up” — a phrase often used by President Joe Biden when describing his economic vision.
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“This plan demonstrates how Democrats’ economic policies have lowered inflation, raised wages, and cut costs for hardworking families, while also outlining a roadmap for how we can continue to grow our economy from the middle out and the bottom up,” the group said in a statement. “From getting more people back to work to making housing more affordable and accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy, New Dems have put forward bold new solutions centered on empowering hard-working Americans to achieve economic freedom.”
The Economic Opportunity Agenda builds on similar messaging coming out of the White House and its push to sell “Bidenomics,” a catchall term for the economic policies implemented under the Biden administration. The 22-page plan examines those policies, citing the economy’s growth as a result of Biden’s agenda.
The agenda is also likely to provide campaign fodder for vulnerable Democrats running in competitive districts, many of whom are members of the New Democrat Coalition. Not only does the plan tout economic growth under Democratic leadership so far, but it also provides a “roadmap” for both the White House and lawmakers to continue advancing legislation to ease inflation.
The Economic Opportunity Agenda outlines an eight-step plan to strengthen the economy, such as strengthening global supply chains, transitioning to a clean energy economy, increasing affordable housing, and supporting farmers to lower food costs.
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The new agenda comes one month after the White House distributed a memo to congressional Democrats pressing them to embrace Bidenomics in their economic messaging. The strategy responds to Republicans hammering the president on economic problems, pointing to soaring inflation as a result of the very policies the president claims are helping bring inflation down.
The economy has emerged as a top voter concern ahead of the 2024 election, which has proved to be a crucial cycle for Democrats as they seek to maintain control of the White House and Senate. Only 34% of voters say they approve of Biden’s performance on the matter, according to an Associated Press survey conducted in June.
