Slotkin pitches ‘economic war plan’ for Democrats to play ‘offense’ against Trump

• Michigan US Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Holly Democrat, called on Democrats to play offense against Trump
• Thursday speech outlined “economic war plan” with housing, immigration, regulatory and education reforms
• Among Slotkin’s ideas: Declare “housing emergency,” ban cell phones in K-12 schools

Michigan US Sen. Elissa Slotkin on Thursday urged her Democratic Party to play “offense” against President Donald Trump, outlining what she called an “economic war plan” to protect the middle class.

Slotkin, a Holly Democrat who built a reputation as a centrist while serving in the US House, was on the same ballot as Trump last fall, narrowly winning Michigan’s 2024 US Senate race against Trump-endorsed candidate Mike Rogers even as Trump topped Kamala Harris. 

Since Trump returned to the White House, Democrats have been “stuck playing constant defense,” Slotkin said in a Washington speech hosted by the Center for American Progress Action, a progressive think tank.

“Defense is simply not enough,” she said. “We need to offer a different vision and demonstrate an affirmative, positive plan for the country. That's our responsibility and what this moment demands of us.” 

Slotkin's speech came as Democrats in Michigan and across the country debate – but often disagree on — the best path forward for a party that lost the White House and ceded full control of Congress to Republicans. 

Calling the shrinking middle class “the single greatest security threat to the United States,” Slotkin pitched plans to increase homeownership by declaring a housing emergency, ban cell phones in US schools, prevent candidates from taking corporate campaign cash, embrace an “all-of-the-above” energy approach and bring critical supply chains back to the US.

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She also said it was time for Democrats to slaughter some “sacred cows,” suggesting the party should work to peel back regulations slowing housing construction and small business growth, fully embrace the skilled trades as an alternative to college and drop what she described as an “elitist” view of climate change that could deter some people from the cause. 

On some issues, such as immigration, Slotkin said reforms don’t have to be sweeping overhauls of the current system, arguing incremental change could avoid the trap of bipartisan policy getting lost in partisan battles. 

Here’s a closer look at some of the reforms Slotkin called for Thursday. 

K-12 cell phone ban, AI regulation

Slotkin called for a ban on cell phones in every K-12 school in the US, arguing that technology “is already harming our kids.” 

Even as the use of artificial intelligence increases inside and outside the classroom, Slotkin warned that a thoughtful introduction to AI was necessary for children to balance technology with critical thinking skills. 

“Too many students are lagging in the people and the problem-solving skills that will be even more valuable in the future economy, and that’s largely because of social media and cell phones,” she continued. “To that end, we should ban cell phones in every K-12 classroom in America.”

She also suggested public officials consider holding social media and tech companies to account if they subject minors to potentially addictive algorithms or “extreme content.” 

At the state level, Michigan lawmakers are already debating the best way to handle increased cell phone use by kids as school districts begin to adopt their own policies. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made a similar plea to ban cell phones in classrooms during her State of the State address. 

The Democratic-led state Senate passed legislation last month that would require public school districts adopt policies that “seek to limit” cell phone use by students in class. 

Some legislative Republicans are advocating for a more explicit ban with less wiggle room, though proponents of the Senate plan say exceptions should be made for health issues and emergencies.

On higher education, Slotkin on Thursday said government leaders “need to do the opposite of what President Trump is doing” and strategically invest in university research. 

But she said universities also need more guardrails on costs and student loans, and said students who want to pursue alternative paths to post-secondary education should be given resources to do so. 

‘Housing emergency’

Calling home ownership a fundamental part of the American dream, Slotkin said the benchmark was more out of reach than ever for many citizens. 

She called for the declaration of a national “housing emergency” to spur the building of 4 million homes around the country to catch up with the demand. 

“If our political system was healthier, we would be obsessively talking about this issue every day,” Slotkin said, placing some of the blame at “overlapping and outdated housing regulations.” 

To address Michigan’s lack of housing stock, state officials set a goal of creating 115,000 housing units across Michigan by September 2026.

As of March, about 57% of the project, or 65,372 units, had already been completed, with a mix of new and refurbished homes.

Some local communities have attempted creative approaches to the housing shortage, including refurbishing old buildings as apartments and seeking funding from alternative sources. 

Campaign cash reform 

Slotkin also argued that an important way to regain the trust of middle class voters would be to limit the influence of major corporations and the wealthy on candidates for office. 

She called for a full ban on corporate PAC money for US candidates, as well as a ban on members of Congress from trading stocks and cryptocurrencies where they stand to gain personal profit for their access. 

“The middle class doesn't have a lobbyist, they don't have a super PAC, they don't have a corporate PAC, but they should have the Democratic Party,” Slotkin said. “You want to refocus elected leaders, both Democrats and Republicans, on middle class issues.” 

Such a plan is easier said than done — corporate “dark money” spending hit record highs in the 2024 election cycle.