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Democrats swear to fight tooth and nail to oppose President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump: "The United States is with Kavanaugh until the end" Sasse: I encouraged Trump to pick someone else than Kavanaugh Sasse: Trump's rhetoric on Ford was "wrong", but no surprise MOREThe agenda if they recover the House. But there is one area where they can try to work with the administration.
Leader of the minority Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Patricia Alesandro PelosiSchiff: There is a legal precedent for indicting criminal officials for previous criminal acts. Pelosi says it's not his "plan" to oust Kavanaugh Exclusive: a new Bannon Group poll pleads for a cutting-edge strategy for the GOP PLUS (D-Calif.) Said that a set of infrastructure and jobs is a top priority for Democrats who will be in the majority next year, and that transportation is seen as a potential ground for agreement between Trump and congressional Democrats.
Trump had pledged to rebuild the country's crumbling infrastructure during his 2016 presidential campaign, but efforts to develop comprehensive legislation ran into many obstacles under the GOP-controlled Congress, where Republicans were skeptical of massive spending in transport. The latest Democrats' proposal cost $ 1 trillion.
Nevertheless, transportation circles are optimistic that Trump will have a better chance of getting a gigantic infrastructure package on his desk if Democrats control the House.
"Since the first day, I have made it clear that I would be willing to work with President Trump and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to introduce the infrastructure bill to the Americans. which we desperately need, "he said representative Cheri Bustos
Cheryl (Cheri) Lea BustosBustos announces her intention to become the fourth Dem Dem. Night Health Care: Trump Officials Defend Medicaid Work Requirements | HHS leader rejects "Medicare for all" as "too good to be true" | Aetna sells Medicare drug business GOP legislator hopes to lift telehealth limits for opioid treatment PLUS (D-Ill.), Co-Chair of the House Committee on Democratic Policy and Communications, in a statement to The Hill.
"The Democrats are serious in their work and that is why we have developed a $ 1 trillion infrastructure plan to rebuild our country," she added. "We are ready to work with Republicans if they really want to invest significantly in our infrastructure."
However, if the Democrats simultaneously fight the government with subpoenas, investigations and perhaps even impeachment proceedings next year, the political environment can be difficult for bipartisanship.
The window of cooperation could also be limited to 2019, after which the election year policy could complicate any bipartisan infrastructure effort as both sides prepare for the 2020 presidential election.
"If people think politics is crazy now, wait until the more than 50 Democrats announce their candidacy for the presidency," said Sean Joyce. the CEO of Atlas Crossing and former GOP collaborator for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "The infrastructure of the Democrats is a top priority in 2019, and it's nice to say 'we want to play ball', but getting dressed and going on the pitch are extremely different."
Earlier this year, House Democrats presented their "For the People" program, which includes proposals to rebuild the country's infrastructure, reduce the cost of prescription drugs and clean up corruption in Washington – three problems that Trump had addressed in 2016.
While a Democratic assistant said that the presidential overlap was unintentional, it nevertheless leaves the door open to bipartisanship next year.
The Democrats' infrastructure plan would inject $ 1 trillion in federal funding directly into a wide range of transportation projects: roads, highways, bridges, railways, airports, broadband, energy and water. Legislators estimate that the plan could create up to 16 million jobs.
A Democratic party official pointed out that the goal is to have a bipartite product with a certain GOP buy-in, whether or not there is a tense relationship between Congressional Democrats and the White House. But the ball is finally in the Trump camp to know if he is ready to work with the Democrats, said the assistant.
"He is the president of the United States, so we need his signature," said the assistant. "But the burden is going to be on him … Does he want to fulfill a campaign promise?"
Although Trump has never tabled infrastructure legislation, his administration has released a framework that would leverage about $ 200 billion in federal funding to generate $ 1 trillion in infrastructure, the private sector, and local governments. assuming the rest.
Bustos noted that the Democrats were disappointed that the White House project was not bipartite, and she said infrastructure efforts had largely been a "one-way conversation" until the end of the day. now.
But Trump would be skeptical about the public-private partnership model proposed by his former economic advisor Gary Cohn
Gary David CohnHow Trump's Tax Law Has Been Passed: The Last Truth McMaster confirms that Cohn has withdrawn a letter from Trump's office, calling it "entirely appropriate" the way Trump's tax law was adopted: Obstacles are quickly emerging MORE. Instead, he told a group of Republicans at a meeting last fall that he preferred massive direct spending – the preferred approach by the Democrats.
"We just have to spend money on that," Trump told the meeting, according to a recent report. Axios article.
Trump welcomed the prospect of a $ 1 trillion infrastructure plan. Adopting a spending package with the Democrats would allow him to win a major legislative victory before the start of his re-election campaign, even if that would mean signing a bill that is more like the funding mechanisms advocated by the Democrats.
The Highway Trust Fund is also expected to run out of money in 2020, making it an issue that will require the attention of the next Congress.
But even if Trump invests heavily in an infrastructure bill and is supported by House Democrats, the plan could still face challenges on Capitol Hill.
The proposal should offer compensation that both sides can agree upon, an issue that has long eluded Washington.
Although Trump once expressed his openness to raising the federal gas tax, the idea has faced resistance from both sides. To reach the figure of $ 1 trillion, an infrastructure bill would probably need a variety of offsets to cover the huge cost.
"I think people can agree on the framework, but then you have to figure out where the money will come from," said Marcia Hale, president of Building America's Future.
Meanwhile, the GOP will not fail to resist this level of spending, even if it is fully funded. Even if the Democrats regained control of both houses, the Republicans would still need the cooperation of the Senate.
Most Republicans prefer transportation projects to be funded by public-private partnerships, which they say is much more effective and efficient than placing responsibility on the government.
GOP lawmakers are likely to clash with Democrats to see if the package should protect wages and environmental laws.
But some transportation advocates say Trump could protect his party by putting all his weight on an infrastructure plan.
"If the president decides to take the driver's seat and direct the infrastructure, it could change the situation," Joyce said. "Trump does not lose the support of his base, so it's probably not a bad decision for him to make a good faith effort to woo Dems, offering a big carrot on infrastructure spending."
"Even refusing to sit down at the table can complicate their political life, especially in some urban neighborhoods where transit needs are greater," he added.
However, it is unclear whether both parties will be willing to compromise. And if so, by how much.
While Trump presents himself as a supplier, he has also defamed Pelosi and other reputed Democrats, comments that could hurt their working relationship.
And Democrats may be reluctant to give Trump a major victory just before he shows up again for the presidency.
Many Senators and Democrats in the House are expected to make an offer for the White House by 2020 and may not be willing to work with a president whom they consider toxic during the election campaign.
Instead, they would prefer to exercise strict oversight over the Trump administration, making bipartisanship a little harder when it comes to an infrastructure bill.
"If Pelosi is in charge, she will continue to exercise her iron grip on the caucus," Joyce said. "Good luck having a hand to collaborate on one of the President's campaign promises while the other gives subpoenas."
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