By Nicole Weatherholtz | Thursday, 02 July 2026 11:26 AM EDT
House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said Thursday that the Democratic Party’s embrace of socialist candidates is built on false promises of “free” government benefits, predicting voters will reject the left’s agenda in the November midterm elections.
During a recent interview, McClain stated democratic socialists are “selling” Americans unrealistic policies while Republicans offer an alternative message rooted in personal responsibility, freedom, and common sense.
“Let’s be honest: Nothing’s free,” she said. “Last I checked, the teachers — are they teaching for free?”
McClain continued, “The grocery stores. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants government-run grocery stores. That’s great. Free everything. So the people are teaching for free? The people are working for free?”
She added that proposals promising free goods and services ignore a basic economic reality.
“Someone has to pay the bill,” McClain said.
McClain argued America’s constitutional system and free-market economy have made the nation the envy of the world, attracting people willing to risk everything for the opportunity to live here.
“People risk their lives to come to America because of what we have — capitalism,” she said. “We have a democracy. We have freedom of speech. We have love of country.”
“I’m proud to be an American,” McClain added. “I respect the flag, and I respect the people who made the sacrifice to make this country what it is today. Freedom, free speech, family, faith: Why aren’t we celebrating the greatest nation on Earth?”
Asked about a Pew Research survey showing growing support for democratic socialism among liberal voters, McClain said those candidates are “selling you a bill of goods.”
“I’d love to be able to eat McDonald’s and chocolate cake and look like a supermodel. That’s just not reality, right?” she said.
“If you want something, you have to work for it. You have to earn it. It’s not given to you; it’s not free,” McClain added.
She noted capitalism rewards effort and gives Americans “a sense of pride, a sense of community, a sense of accomplishment” while warning government control comes at the expense of personal liberty.
“Do you really want the government to tell you what to do, when to do it, and how to do it?” she asked. “Because it sounds good right up until the point that you’ve given away all your freedoms. … That’s a very, very scary proposition.”
Looking ahead to the fall midterm elections, McClain said voters should embrace what she called a clear contrast between the two parties.
“This election, more than any other election, is going to be the difference between common sense and crazy,” she said. “And I’ll tell you, I like common sense a heck of a lot better than I like crazy.”
