11/11/2024 --axios
House Democrats are strategizing ways to put a damper on the Trump administration's sweeping plans while their party still retains some control in Washington, Axios has learned.Why it matters: Many Democrats fear that full GOP control of Congress – an increasingly likely prospect – will allow Trump to roll back many of the gains they made under the Biden administration.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is already telling allies how he is preparing to lead the resistance to Trump, Axios' Hans Nichols reported."We as Democrats have to roll up our sleeves and get into defense and protection mode," Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) told Axios.Said outgoing Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.): "A lot of things can be undone, but it can take longer to undo them and it will force a priority from them on what they want to focus on."What we're hearing: The talks mainly involve members of the Progressive, Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American and Equality caucuses, according to multiple lawmakers engaged in the discussions.Ramirez said the conversations center on figuring out "what are the things [where] we have any powers to protect the communities that we know will be most harmed as a result of a Donald Trump election."Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) confirmed to Axios "there are conversations that are taking place where people are tying to figure out if there are some steps that can be taken that can reduce the damage."Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.), in a statement, pointed to immigration policy as a key focus, noting Republicans "have promised mass deportations. The president-elect has even admitted that women and children could get caught up in these operations."Zoom in: Jayapal said one plan is to propose a raft of executive orders President Biden could issue to "protect existing structures," such as shielding career civil servants and Justice Department officials.She also said lawmakers are working on getting funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, bipartisan infrastructure law, and CHIPS Act "out the door as quickly as possible."Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), Jayapal's likely successor as CPC chair, said lawmakers want to ensure those funds "start creating jobs before Trump finds some way to just send that money to his friends."Democrats also plan to lean on the Biden administration to fast-track citizenship and residency paperwork for immigrants, Casar said.They are also trying to come up with messaging strategies to bolster Biden's legacy, said Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.): "Trump is going to inherit a good economy ... [we want to] help educate people about that 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 are also sensitive to the perception that they are adopting the tactics of Republican state legislators who used their supermajorities to kneecap incoming Democratic governors."We're trying to show how the United States is supposed to conduct itself every four years when a new person takes over the reins of government," said Cleaver."I do think that's important. I want the American public to see, if they've forgotten, just how things are supposed to be ... I know that Biden doesn't want to step over the line."What's next: Several lawmakers told Axios that the caucuses spearheading this brainstorming are set meet on the subject this week as the House returns to session."In anticipation of [Trump's] actions, CHC will meet to discuss how best we can protect our communities and hold the incoming administration accountable," said Barragan.Ramirez told Axios: "CHC, CPC and others are going to have a lot of meetings next week to discuss what we end up prioritizing and how much of that can we take to the Dem caucus to ask that they prioritize."
