Wiener, Lofgren and Khanna set their opening agendas as the Bay Area delegation prepares for a Democratic House majority

Top image: Rep.-elect Scott Wiener, who won California’s 11th District seat held by Nancy Pelosi. Photo: California State Senate (public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

By Rafael Quintero-Lind, Politics Reporter

Three members of the Bay Area’s congressional delegation have set out what they want first from a Democratic House majority: Rep.-elect Scott Wiener on health care, Rep. Zoe Lofgren on oversight of science policy and AI, and Rep. Ro Khanna on his political future.

Wiener: Medicaid first

Wiener, a state senator who won California’s 11th District to succeed retiring Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, told NBC Bay Area on Thursday that Democrats should move on the first day. “The day that the new Congress is sworn in on January 3rd, we need to focus immediately on reversing the Medicaid cuts,” he said, according to the station. Those cuts passed last year in the president’s “big beautiful bill” and are set to take effect in January.

Wiener’s other priorities include rescinding the president’s powers to fund and fight a war in Iran, reducing funding for ICE operations and launching congressional inquiries into the Trump administration, NBC reported. The NBC Decision Desk showed him leading Supervisor Connie Chan 53.6% to 46.4% with 97% of the expected vote in. Chan conceded Wednesday night. In a statement, Pelosi said, “I congratulate Scott Wiener on his election to the Congress. Representing San Francisco is an extraordinary honor and profound responsibility.” Wiener said he looks forward to speaking with her.

Lofgren: the Science gavel

On Nov. 4, Lofgren announced she will seek the chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. “First and foremost, as Chairwoman, I will work to put a stop to Trump’s politicization of science,” she said in a statement, adding that the committee’s oversight work “will continue.” She also said Congress needs to “build responsible regulations for AI while also fostering innovation,” and to invest in quantum computing and fusion energy. Committee chairs are not final until the House Democratic Caucus assigns them.

Khanna and the 2028 question

Khanna, who is likely to be a 2028 Democratic presidential primary contender, has said he will decide on a run with his family after the holidays. The Chronicle reported Sunday that a “Run Ro” draft committee launched after he was reelected with 71% of the vote. The same report noted that President Trump said he can work with Democrats “unless they want to be destructive.”

What to watch

Whether the Medicaid cuts can be reversed before they take effect in January, and what the new majority can do with the Senate and a presidential veto. The delegation’s chair assignments, including Lofgren’s bid for the Science gavel, are expected as the Democratic Caucus organizes.