Pritzker unveils Democratic Congress Day One agenda

Pritzker pushes swift Democratic action

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is urging Democrats to act with Trump-like speed on an aggressive legislative agenda as they take control of Congress with a resounding mandate for change.

A 75-page plan with 200 priorities

Pritzker is releasing a detailed 75-page plan Wednesday with ideas on everything from increasing the federal minimum wage to restoring SNAP and Medicaid cuts.

Day One means Day One

Pritzker said Congress should begin introducing legislation immediately. He said there are big things and small things that need to be done, and they need to be done swiftly.

“I believe that on Day One, and I literally mean Day One, that they should begin to introduce legislation.”

Positioning for 2028

Fresh off a victory for a third gubernatorial term, Pritzker is looking toward a potential run for president in 2028, setting down a marker as the party looks toward next steps.

Millions spent on midterm races

Pritzker, 61, spent millions on battleground races in the midterms. Recently, he gave one million dollars to Democrat Gina Hinojosa in her bid to oust Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

Two hundred items to tackle

With two months before the new Congress convenes, Pritzker has 200 items he believes Democrats should tackle immediately, pointing to the urgency of Trump's first days in office in 2025.

Pass it even if Trump vetoes

Pritzker said Democrats should pass legislation restoring federal programs even if Trump vetoes it, to show the country's direction and make clear where Trump stands.

“Even if Trump vetoes a restoration of those programs, they should pass it.”

Minimum wage and immigration reform

Pritzker's plan calls for boosting the federal minimum wage, which now stands at seven dollars and twenty five cents an hour. It also addresses immigration, calling for ending mass deportation agendas.

Illinois minimum wage is higher

In Illinois, the minimum wage is fifteen dollars an hour. Sen.-elect Juliana Stratton, who served as Pritzker's lieutenant governor, has called for a twenty five dollar an hour minimum wage.

Other agenda items

Pritzker's plan also includes passing the Tariff Relief for Consumer Act, giving states more authority on betting markets, restoring Temporary Protected Status for immigrants, and year-round E15 gasoline production.

Balancing oversight and action

Asked how Democrats should balance holding administration officials accountable versus advancing new initiatives, Pritzker said committees should lead investigations while Congress works on reversing Trump's damage.

Congress must act right away

Pritzker said Congress has to get to work immediately on reversing damage to working families, with committees handling oversight of the executive branch separately from legislative action.

“There is work to be done for the working families of America to reverse the damage that Donald Trump has done to them.”