Alright, folks, let’s talk about something that just makes plain old common sense—housing prices, immigration, and the basic economics of supply and demand. Vice President J.D. Vance took the stage on Monday at the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference and laid out a truth that, frankly, should not be controversial. But, of course, in today’s political climate, stating the obvious is enough to get you heckled.
Vance was addressing a key issue: Why has housing become so unaffordable for so many Americans? According to him—and to anyone who’s ever taken an Economics 101 class—one major factor is the sheer number of people now competing for homes. Over the past four years, millions of illegal immigrants have entered the U.S., and, surprise, surprise, they need places to live. That surge in demand, combined with a sluggish pace of new home construction, means prices have skyrocketed. Yet, for some reason, certain folks in the crowd just couldn’t handle that simple truth.
When one heckler tried to push back as Vance pointed out that other nations like Canada and the U.K. are seeing similar trends, he didn’t back down.
“I see one of our nice representatives out here wants to actually, I guess, continue to flood the country with illegal immigrants, making your communities and citizens unaffordable,” he quipped. And he wasn’t wrong.
A second heckler jumped in later, but Vance wasn’t having it. He welcomed debate but wasn’t about to entertain someone shouting nonsense from the crowd.
“Maybe don’t shout it in front of 2,000 people. I can’t even hear what you’re saying, sir,” he said, shutting it down in real time.
Now, let’s break this down: If you add 20 million new people to a housing market already struggling to keep up with demand, what do you think happens? Prices go up. It’s that simple. And when those new arrivals are largely competing for the same homes as lower-income American citizens, the burden falls on those who can least afford it.
Even putting politics aside, the numbers speak for themselves. More people needing housing = higher housing costs. More workers competing for lower-wage jobs = suppressed wages. And yet, somehow, pointing this out is controversial? Give me a break.
Vance didn’t just hold his own against the hecklers—he highlighted an issue that too many politicians are afraid to talk about. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about politics. It’s about whether everyday Americans can afford to live in their own country. And if that’s not worth talking about, then what is?
