Inside House Dems’ 11th-hour plot to sabotage Trump’s agenda
Axios learned that House Democrats are planning to thwart the Trump administration’s ambitious plans, while they still have some control over Washington.
Why it matters: Many Democrats are concerned that a full GOP control of Congress, which is becoming increasingly likely, will allow Trump undo many of the gains made by the Biden administration.
Hans Nichols of Axios reported that House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has already told allies about his preparations to lead resistance against Trump.
Delia Ramirez, a Democratic lawmaker from Illinois, told Axios that “we as Democrats must roll up our sleeves to get into defense mode and protection mode.”
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Pramila Jayapal, outgoing chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (D-Wash. ), said: “A number of things can still be undone but it may take a longer time to do so. It will also force them to prioritize what they are going to focus on.”
We’re hearing a lot of members from the Progressive, Black Hispanic Asian Pacific American, and Equality caucuses.
Ramirez stated that the discussions center around figuring out, “what are the areas [where] we can protect the communities we know will be the most harmed by a Donald Trump victory.”
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo. Axios confirmed that “there are conversations taking place” where people are trying to figure out what steps can be taken to reduce the damage.
Nanette Barragan, the Hispanic Caucus chair (D-Calif.), made a statement in which she emphasized immigration policy, stating that Republicans had “promised mass deportations.” Even the president-elect admitted that children and women could be caught in these operations.
Zoom in: Jayapal stated that one of her plans is to suggest a series of executive orders which President Biden can issue to “protect the existing structures”, such as shielding Justice Department officials and career civil servants.
She said that lawmakers were working to get funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure laws, as well as the CHIPS Act, “out of the door” as quickly as they could.
Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, Jayapal’s successor as CPC Chair is likely to be Greg Casar. He said that lawmakers want to make sure these funds “start creating employment before Trump finds a way to simply send this money to his buddies.”
Casar stated that Democrats will also be pressing the Biden administration for a faster processing of citizenship and residency documents for immigrants.
Sydney Kamlager Dove (D) said that they are trying to develop messaging strategies in order to enhance Biden’s legacy. “Trump will inherit a strong economy… [we] want to help educate the public about this reality.”
Reality check: Biden’s executive orders have often run into trouble in conservative-dominated federal courts, and Democrats are limited in what they can do legislatively during the lame duck session due to GOP control of the House.
Some Democrats also feel that they have adopted the tactic of Republican state lawmakers who used their supermajorities in order to stifle incoming Democratic Governors.
Cleaver said, “We are trying to show the United States how it should conduct itself every four-years when a new leader takes the reins of the government.”
“I think that is important. I want the American people to remember, if they have forgotten, how things should be. I know Biden won’t go over the line.
What’s next? Several lawmakers have told Axios the caucuses that are leading this brainstorming will meet this week when the House returns to its regular session.
Barragan said that CHC would meet in anticipation of Trump’s actions to discuss the best way we can protect and hold accountable our communities.
Ramirez said to Axios that “CHC and CPC will have many meetings next week in order to discuss the priorities we decide on and how much we can take to the Dem Caucus and ask them to prioritize.”
