House Democrats urged to tout economy to improve reelection chances
Cami Mondeaux
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As House Democrats return home for the August recess, lawmakers are being encouraged by their top fundraising groups to tout the Biden administration’s economic growth to boost their own reelection prospects.
House Majority PAC, one of the main fundraising arms for House Democrats, sent a memo to lawmakers on Monday urging members to go on the offensive when it comes to talking about the economy, instructing lawmakers to “build the contrast with the MAGA House Republicans immediately.” The strategy comes as Republicans have hammered Democrats on economic problems, pointing to soaring inflation as a result of the policies being implemented by the Biden administration.
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“Leading up to Election Day 2024, it is imperative for Democrats to tout their accomplishments on a local and national level,” the memo states. “Bidenomics and economic policies championed by House Democrats are growing the middle class, strengthening our economy, lowering costs, and boosting domestic manufacturing.”
The memo outlines several talking points Democrats can use during the six-week recess, including a number of attacks against House Republicans amid intraparty tensions over government spending.
Democrats are urged to tout President Joe Biden’s economic agenda, such as the passage of the CHIPS Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — all key tenets of the president’s reelection campaign. The memo also highlights job growth seen under the Biden administration, which the House Majority PAC says has resulted in “hundreds and thousands of manufacturing, clean energy, and good paying union jobs that are growing the American middle class.”
Meanwhile, Democrats are also digging in on House Republicans under the leadership of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), accusing the GOP of holding the economy hostage until its demands are met.
“Under the leadership of Kevin McCarthy, extremist House Republicans have held the American economy hostage and have repeatedly threatened economic progress while supporting an extreme MAGA agenda that would ban abortion nationwide,” the memo states.
The memo outlines five attacks to use against Republicans while at home in their districts, hammering the GOP over proposed spending cuts, as well as threats to defund government agencies such as the FBI and Justice Department over investigations into former President Donald Trump.
Democrats are also instructed to attack GOP lawmakers on abortion, accusing Republicans of seeking to implement a nationwide ban as part of budget talks. The attacks come as GOP lawmakers push to include a measure in the agriculture appropriations bill that would overturn a Biden administration rule allowing abortion pills to be sold through the mail and in retail pharmacies.
Democrats are especially encouraged to hammer Republicans over the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a measure to rescind a policy allowing the Pentagon to reimburse service members who travel across state lines to obtain an abortion. The inclusion of that proposal prompted all Democrats to vote against the measure.
“House Republicans are currently putting our nation’s defense and the safety of the American people at risk, all so they can pass an extremist wishlist which includes a radical anti-abortion amendment,” the memo states.
The memo follows efforts from the White House pressing congressional Democrats to embrace the concept of “Bidenomics,” especially as the president tries to reclaim messaging around the economy.
Republicans were quick to seize on the messaging, pointing to recent polling that shows a majority of people are dissatisfied with the economy under the Biden administration. Roughly 61% described the economy as “struggling” compared to just 15% who said it is “rebounding,” according to a poll released over the weekend by CBS News.
Another 56% said the future of the U.S. economy is “uncertain,” with 27% of respondents noting they feel punished by rising prices. Meanwhile, only 11% said the economy is expanding, the poll shows.
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“House Democrats understand the economy is in the doldrums and remain desperate to change the political conversation,” said Will Reinert, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the main campaign arm for the House GOP. “However, no amount of spin reverses the destruction three years of Bidenomics caused to American families’ finances.”
The revised strategy comes as the economy emerges 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.