From NPR · · 2m
Democrats won big. Can they deliver on the economy?
Democrats swept the midterms on anger over cost of living and gas prices. But divided government and presidential vetoes may limit what they can actually achieve.
In brief
Democrats swept the midterms on anger over cost of living and gas prices. But divided government and presidential vetoes may limit what they can actually achieve. Democrats won control of Congress on promises to lower costs, but face Republican opposition and presidential vetoes that could prevent them delivering on…
Democrats sweep midterms on economy
Democrats won control of both houses of Congress this week, with voters driven by frustrations over high cost of living and gas prices.
Jeffries promises affordability action
Hakeem Jeffries, the presumptive next speaker of the House, said Democrats will fight to make the country affordable for every single American.
“We're going to fight to make sure that we make this country affordable for every single American.”
But Republicans can block them
Democrats will face Republican roadblocks in the Senate and the threat of presidential vetoes, limiting how much they can deliver on campaign promises.
Risk of voter disappointment
Matt Bennett, co-founder of Third Way, a centrist Democratic think tank, warns Democrats were really promising to check Trump for two years, then improve lives in 2028.
“What Democrats were really promising was, return us to power. We will put a check on Trump for two years and then when we get to the White House in 2028, we can actually make your lives better.”
Democrats control what gets voted on
Democrats can decide what bills come to the floor, forcing Republicans to vote on measures with public support and go on record with their positions.
Precedent for bipartisan deals
In two thousand seven, after Democrats won control of Congress, they passed a minimum wage increase that Republican President George Bush signed into law.
Gas prices are the hard part
Lawmakers lack a direct path to lowering fuel prices beyond trying to end the war in Iran, which they could attempt through a war powers resolution.
Appropriations as leverage
Democrats could add provisions to must-pass legislation like government funding bills to stop funds being used in the war, though the president could veto such measures.
Vetoes become political tools
New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said Democrats will send bills to the president's desk, daring him to veto popular measures like healthcare access or affordable medicines.
“If we have a bill that is bipartisan to restore health care for the people who lost their Medicaid or to improve access to affordable medicines and other things, like, I dare him to veto that.”
Blame game strategy
If the president vetoes popular legislation, it creates news cycles blaming him for blocking bills to lower healthcare costs, placing responsibility for inaction on his shoulders.
The takeaway
Democrats won control of Congress on promises to lower costs, but face Republican opposition and presidential vetoes that could prevent them delivering on those pledges.
