Democrats’ Midterm Sweep Sets Up a Clash With Trump
Democrats are preparing to use their new House and Senate majorities to press President Donald Trump on affordability, health care and the economy, after their November 3 midterm victories swept Republicans out of control of Congress. The new Congress begins on January 3, leaving Trump with a Democratic-controlled legislature for his final two years in office.
Incoming Democratic leaders say they will seek to restore Affordable Care Act subsidies, reverse Medicaid cuts and reduce energy and grocery costs. Their plans include seeking to repeal Trump’s tariffs and bring the fighting in Iran to a close. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would pursue lower costs with or without the president, and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the chamber would no longer operate as an extension of the administration.
Trump has alternated between saying he is willing to work with Democrats and emphasizing his veto power. He has said he may become “Mr. Veto,” while Democrats say they intend to pass their proposals and make him decide whether to reject them. Without Republican support, Democrats would not have enough votes to override a veto, leaving potential legislation vulnerable to stalemate.
The parties could also clash over government funding and investigations promised by Democrats into alleged administration corruption. Former Republican representative Fred Upton said bipartisan deals remain possible, but warned that the loss of moderate Republicans could make cooperation harder. Trump biographer Timothy L. O’Brien has predicted that a politically cornered Trump may lash out, as he has in earlier conflicts.
Democrats Can Force Trump to Answer for the Cost-of-Living Crisis
Voters handed Democrats control of both chambers on November 3, giving them a chance to challenge President Donald Trump’s economic record and pursue the affordability measures they campaigned on. The new Congress begins January 3, and Democratic leaders say they will press ahead even if Trump refuses to cooperate.
Their agenda includes restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies, reversing Medicaid cuts and seeking to lower energy and grocery bills by pursuing repeal of Trump’s tariffs and an end to the fighting in Iran. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has said the party will work to bring costs down with or without the president. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries says Congress should serve the American people, not function as an extension of the administration.
Trump has pointed to his veto power and suggested he could use it against Democratic legislation. That leaves him facing a choice: accept proposals aimed at lowering costs or reject them after voters delivered a rebuke to his party. Democrats will not have enough votes to override a veto without significant Republican support, but they say they will pass bills and make the president own his response.
The new majority also plans investigations into what Democrats describe as corruption in the administration. Government funding disputes could bring further confrontation. Former Republican representative Fred Upton has warned that the loss of moderate Republicans may make bipartisan deals harder. The stakes are clear: Democrats intend to put the president’s actions on affordability and accountability in front of the public.
Democratic Majorities Put Governing at Risk as Trump Vows to Push Back
Democrats will take control of the House and Senate on January 3 after their November 3 midterm victories, setting up two years of confrontation with President Donald Trump. Their leaders are promising bills on health care and living costs, but Trump has made clear that he can veto legislation he opposes.
Democrats say they want to restore Affordable Care Act subsidies, reverse Medicaid cuts and lower energy and grocery costs by seeking repeal of Trump’s tariffs and an end to fighting in Iran. They also plan investigations into what they call corruption in the administration. Those promises point toward a Congress focused not only on legislation but on challenging the president directly.
Trump has said he is open to working with Democrats, while also stressing his veto authority. Without significant Republican support, Democrats cannot override a veto. Their strategy of passing bills and daring the president to reject them could turn policy disputes into a prolonged political contest, while stalemates over essential government funding could raise the prospect of shutdowns.
Former Republican representative Fred Upton has argued that bipartisan cooperation is possible, but warned that the departure of moderate Republicans could make it harder. Trump biographer Timothy L. O’Brien has predicted the president may lash out when cornered. The new Democratic majority will test whether it can deliver workable agreements or instead deepen the partisan gridlock that threatens basic governing.
Reported by The Boston Globe, The Daily Beast.
