Mamdani urges Democrats to push spending

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters on Wednesday that the Democratic Party must shift from defense to offense in Congress. He argued that the party’s recent electoral victories create an opportunity to lower costs for voters rather than simply protecting existing benefits.

Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, cited the Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act as the primary defensive target. He described the current defensive strategy as an effort to prevent New Yorkers from losing SNAP benefits or health insurance. He proposed an offensive strategy focused on delivering tangible affordability improvements.

The party secured a Senate majority by flipping at least seven Republican-held seats, including some in deep-red districts. In the House, Democrats captured dozens of districts. This marks the first time Democrats have held a Senate majority since 2022.

Mamdani endorsed three progressive House candidates in New York City primaries earlier this year. Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier all won their races. Lander and Avila Chevalier will unseat incumbent Democrats who lost in the primaries. Valdez and Avila Chevalier are also members of the Democratic Socialists of America.

The mayor said he could not wait to work with Valdez and Avila Chevalier on a federal affordability agenda. He noted that their election strengthens the left’s hand in Washington.

Two New York Democrats will lead their chambers next year. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced his candidacy for speaker of the House on Wednesday. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters he expects to become Senate majority leader in January.

Mamdani said he spoke with Jeffries to congratulate him on the results. He noted that having Washington leaders from New York is important because they experience the city’s economic struggles directly, without the filter of media or political abstraction.