Problem Solvers Caucus Releases Bipartisan Affordability Agenda

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus unveiled its Affordability Agenda, a comprehensive proposal to lower the cost of living in the United States. The framework received overwhelming support from Members of the caucus, which is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. 

The framework begins with a clear diagnosis of the problem:

“American families are facing an affordability crisis. Even as inflation has come down since its 2021 peak, the costs of key expenses like health care, housing, electricity, child care, and groceries remain historically high… Let’s be clear: Both parties played a role in creating this crisis, and both parties will need to be part of the solution.” 

To meet this moment, the framework identifies commonsense policies, including more than 40 bipartisan bills, that can deliver immediate relief across five key areas of household budgets: health care, housing, energy, child care, and food. Each recommendation enjoys broad bipartisan support and is capable of passing both chambers of Congress. 

The framework also identifies the root causes of persistently high prices, making clear that bringing down costs in the long term will require tackling the structural forces pushing prices higher.

Read the full framework

A roadmap to bring down prices

Americans need relief now, and the framework provides a roadmap to lower costs across five key areas of household budgets. The framework’s recommendations in each area are summarized below:

1. Health Care: Lower health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs and expand access to timely, high-quality care
2. Housing: Increase housing supply and expand access to affordable financing and rental options
3. Energy: Expand the domestic energy supply by modernizing the federal permitting system
4. Child Care: Expand the child care workforce and reduce out-of-pocket costs for working families
5. Food: Reduce grocery prices and modernize nutrition programs

Root causes of high prices:

Lasting progress to address the affordability crisis will also require tackling deeper structural pressures that, left unaddressed, will continue to put upward pressure on prices. The framework identifies four key cost drivers:

1. An inadequate domestic energy supply keeps electricity and fuel costs high
2. Our unsustainable debt and deficits puts upward pressure on interest rates
3. Structural issues in the health care system drive up premiums and out-of-pocket costs
4. Our broken immigration system contributes to labor shortages in key sectors

Over the coming months, the Problem Solvers Caucus will meet with congressional leadership, Members and Senators across committees of jurisdiction, industry leaders, and stakeholders across the political spectrum to build consensus on the solutions outlined in this agenda. By working across the aisle, the Problem Solvers Caucus aims to deliver immediate cost relief for families while laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient economy for generations to come.

“There is nothing ideological about wanting life to be affordable. Families across this country are being squeezed, regardless of party or geography, and division will never lower the cost of living,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “Our affordability agenda reflects a choice to do the work—bringing both parties together around common-sense, patriotic solutions to lower everyday expenses, support families, and restore the basic expectation that hard work should lead to stability. It reflects a fundamental American truth: we are strongest when we work together.”

"Whether you're a left-wing progressive or a right-wing conservative, most Americans believe that if you work hard, you should make enough money to be able to buy a house, educate your kids, have health insurance, and retire one day without being scared,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03). “The number one issue we face in this country is affordability, and the Problem Solvers are putting forward a comprehensive, bipartisan plan not just to talk about affordability, but to do something about it."

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The Problem Solvers Caucus is a group of Members of Congress — split between Republicans and Democrats — committed to advancing common-sense solutions to key issues facing our nation.