Hakeem Jeffries

They've refused to do it.

In fact, what they've done is make life more expensive.

But from the very beginning of the year, it's clear to us that the affordability issue is central to what we need to do on behalf of the American people.

Listen, we believe in this country, greatest country in the history of the world.

that everyone who works hard and plays by the rules should be able to provide a comfortable life for themselves and for their families, to live the good life, a good paying job, good housing, good healthcare, good education for their children, and a good retirement.

And the problem that so many Americans confront right now is that far too many people are doing the first two things.

They're working hard and they're playing by the rules, but they can't get to that American dream, that comfortable life, living the good life for themselves and for their family.

That's what's broken in the country right now.

And so we've got to fix it.

And yes, affordability is a big part of it, the central issue, the high cost of living.

We've also got to find ways to put money back into the pockets of the American people, actually use the tax code to make their life better.

Instead, what we've seen with Republicans is one big ugly bill that's now law is that they hurt everyday Americans in order to reward their billionaire donors with massive tax breaks.

That's why I think that voters are going to reject

this Republican extremism and Republican policies all across the country, and we'll begin to see that during the upcoming general election in Virginia, in New Jersey, and with respect to Prop 50 in California.

What do you say to those candidates who are mounting primary campaigns against Democrats who are critical of Democratic leadership?

Maybe looked at what happened in March, wished that you and the Senate Minority Leader had stood up then, want you to do more.

What's your message to them just about the way that this party is operating in its current form?

Well, to be very clear, you know, House Democrats were strongly opposed to the partisan Republican spending bill in March, and we continue to have that position.

And I'm thankful for the incredible leadership of Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats who, you know, strongly opposed the one big ugly bill from the very beginning all the way through the end, unanimous Democratic opposition, and will continue to stand on principle in defense of the American people.

At the same period of time, I understand that