Affordability and outside money drive midterm strategy

Democratic proposals for a $25 minimum wage, credit-card competition, surveillance-pricing limits, and expanded health protections are competing with Trump-backed economic priorities and unresolved permitting reform. Elon Musk’s reported $366 million commitment to Senate and House super PACs, including a $276 million increase since July, could reshape advertising, turnout operations, and scrutiny of billionaire influence.