Trump makes new openings for Democrats

President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump: "I do not believe everyone in the White House", JPMorgan President withdraws from Saudi conference Trump defends family separations at the border MORE made overtures to Democrats about working together next year, an initiative that would mark a major shift in its dealings with Congress, but that might prove necessary in order to secure great legislative achievements before his re-election campaign in 2020.

If the Democrats take control of the House after the November elections, Trump will have no choice but to go beyond the aisle if he wants to respect the campaign promises such as a gigantic infrastructure set.

But partisan animosity in Washington will likely increase if Democrats gain majorities in one or both houses of Congress, which could make the conclusion of a bipartisan agreement almost impossible. Trump could also risk a reaction from his base if he felt that he had gone too far in his dealings with Democrats.

White House officials said they have begun preliminary discussions internally – and with Democratic legislators – on areas in which they could work together in 2019.

They also say the ball is in the Democrats' court.

"The president is always ready to face. Always, "said Shahira Knight, legislative director of the White House, during an interview with The Hill.

The president reached a budget agreement with the Senate majority leader at the end of last year. Chuck SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerThe five conclusions of the last debate in the Tennessee Senate Schumer rips the Trump case of "Medicare for all": Senator GOP suspects Schumer of being behind the publication of the letter Ford PLUS (D-Calif.) And Leader of the Minority in the House Nancy PelosiNancy Patricia Poll D & # 39; Alesandro PelosiGOP: Republicans Could Hang In The House At Mid-Term Bloomberg Goes To New Hampshire, Fueling Speculation For 2020 The Memo Race: Rust Belt Depends On Trump MORE (D-Calif.), Much to the chagrin of GOP leaders in Congress.

Trump recently indicated that he was ready to embark on this path. In an interview with Fox & Friends last Thursday, it would be a shame for the Democrats to gain control of Congress, while stating that it could open the door to an elusive agreement aimed at rebuilding the country's roads and bridges.

"There is a chance we get along well and get along well. We have a lot of things, like the infrastructure, that they want and want, "said the president.

Trump also spoke of the prospect of bipartisan victories at the signing ceremony of a new law aimed at reducing ocean pollution, the type of televised victory tower that he seems to adore. The measure was passed unanimously by the House and the Senate.

"Biparti, have you ever thought … you would hear that? Bipartisan," he told lawmakers at the White House.

These remarks took place even after Trump denounced the Democrats this week as "wacko" and "too dangerous to govern" at campaign rallies designed to sack his conservative supporters before the mid-term.

Some big Democrats already consider Trump a potential ally in an infrastructure project.

representative Peter DeFazioPeter Anthony DeFazioDems plans ambitious agenda if House changes chamber Legislator introduces bill to end US support for Yemen's civil war Congress prepares to fight back in major battles policies up to mid-term MORE (D-Ore.), A prominent member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he had launched a $ 500 billion "with a source of revenue" proposal.

Be p. Richard NealRichard Edmund NealKey, Democrat, Will Ask for Trump Tax Returns If the House Rocks Better health outcomes at lower cost are a victory that everyone can get behind Dems' ambitious agenda when the House will spill OVER (D-Mass.), Who chairs the Ways and Means Committee, said he sees infrastructure as an area in which Democrats can work with the White House.

"It's clear that the administration may be able to work with us on some infrastructure," Neal said.

Both sides look at each other with caution.

The White House said it may be difficult to work with the Democrats if the party plans to launch thorough investigations into Trump's presidency and business practices.

"It depends very critically on their attitude after the elections: whether it is an attitude of impeachment or obstruction or collaboration," said a senior administration official, who asked for anonymity to speak frankly. "And I think that there could be several different paths. The first is that they just want to attack, investigate, obstruct and think about 2020 and that's it, and in that case, it will be difficult to do anything big. "

But the official added that even if there were investigations, there could still be room for "bipartite initiatives that do not reach the level of news on the front page but that have still a sense, "like the price of prescription drugs.

Democratic lawmakers could also face overwhelming pressure from Liberal activists not to give Trump a big victory ahead of the 2020 elections.

Party leaders on Capitol Hill said Trump was ready to work with Democrats in areas such as infrastructure and health care before retiring.

"Democrats believe that there is a bipartisan path on these issues and urge the president to work with us to make real progress for the American people," said Pelosi spokeswoman Ashley Etienne. "The real question is whether the president is willing to work on a bipartite basis to address these critical issues."

Another Democratic assistant said that investigations would not necessarily prevent them from working with the White House on bills.

"Democrats do not care if the president has pissed us off because we honestly control his administration. We are anxious to help American families succeed. We hope that it is too, "said the assistant.

Even in a very partisan environment, both sides see a chance to work on lesser-known issues such as retirement security, drug pricing and anti-trafficking legislation.

It is possible that the measures taken to reform prisons and prisons, another bipartite priority that Trump has shown support for, can move from the lame session to next year. And Trump will need Democratic votes to ensure Congress approves its renegotiated trade deal with Canada and Mexico.

Democrats, however, described efforts to work with the White House as a ceaseless process.

representative Elijah CummingsElijah Eugene CummingsDems Plans Ambitious Agenda if House Changes Control Dems Group Calls for Citizenship Inquiry into 2020 Census Pharmaceutical Companies Fear Democratic Congress MORE (Md.) This week has expressed skepticism about the White House's willingness to allow Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies to lower drug prices, one of the promises of the 2016 Trump campaign that drew Democrats support.

In May, the Trump government angered Democrats by issuing a plan to reduce drug costs, excluding new bargaining powers.

Cummings told The Hill that the strategy is a sign that Trump "has completely abandoned the idea," but added that if the president and the Republicans are "willing to work together bipartisan, I'm ready, willing and able ".

Administration officials said that drug pricing projects were under development but were not yet ready for publication.

Republicans are also in conflict over Trump's signals to Democrats.

Some want to see Trump secure more wins, no matter how he does it.

representative Mark MeadowsMark Randall The co-founder of GPS MeadowsFusion will invoke "the constitutional right not to testify": the lawyers of the House postpone the meeting with Rosenstein This week: Rosenstein must meet the House GOP MORE (RN.C.), Conservative group leader Freedom Caucus, also a member of the Transportation Committee, described the infrastructure as a "good bipartisan issue," in which Trump could team up with the Democrats.

"President Trump has expressed a desire to carry out his overall transportation initiative from the very beginning of his administration," said Meadows, who frequently chats with Trump at The Hill. "His willingness to work with Democrats and Republicans, regardless of which party maintains the majority in the House, is a pragmatic reality that must be recognized."

But others ask Trump not to reach agreements with the Democrats, especially since they contain elements that anger his conservative base.

"The worst decision Trump could make would be to befriend Liberal Democrats if Pelosi becomes President," said a GOP consultant with links to the Trump administration.

There would be few complaints from the Conservatives if Trump was working with Democrats on issues such as retirement savings or even prison reform, which is popular in some corners of the right, the consultant said. But the president could trigger negative reactions if he passes agreements on immigration, gun control or even a set of infrastructure that spends too much.

"What he should in no way do is run left over problems for which his base is considered the most important," said the consultant. "That would shatter his base under him … The last thing he needs now is the Mark Levins, Rush Limbaughs and Sean Hannitys of the world who stand out from him."

If Democrats win majorities in both Houses, GOP leaders will have very little weight to prevent Trump from reaching agreements with Democrats. But if the Republicans retain control of the Senate, as expected, the majority leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell GOP Senate Candidate: Kavanaugh's "Too Motivating" Debate for Missouri Trump Electors Congratulates McConnell: "He Watched the Angry Left Crowd" for Kavanaugh to Confirm Murkowski do not worry about a challenge Palin PLUS (R-Ky.) Still have a say in next year's program.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Trump has never introduced major legislation in the aisles.

Trump had been hoping for a bipartisan agreement on immigration earlier this year when he had summoned Democrats and Republicans to the Roosevelt Hall of the White House, telling them that he would sign any proposal that he had. They would put on his desk.

But the White House refused to stick to the principles drafted by radical political advisor Stephen Miller, who were uncomfortable for the Democrats and the prospects for an agreement disappeared.

Trump, next year, would also find himself in unknown waters if the Democrats are in command.

The president has established links with a handful of Democratic senators from the states he has won, such as Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinGillibrand supports Manchin and Bredesen despite their support for Kavanaugh The Senate is preparing to campaign after agreement on Trump Overnight Energy candidates: climate skeptic confirmed as DOJ attorney in environmental charge | EPA gradually eliminates the air pollution panel | Advertising campaign targets mercury rule proposal PLUS West Virginia. But he has little or no relationship with the Democrats on the other side of the Capitol.

Officials say that he does not speak regularly to the Democratic legislators of the House.