The midterm election results didn’t happen because voters love Democrats. Or hate Republicans. They happened because we want politicians who actually work for us.
So what comes next?
At the national level, House Democrats can now push through almost any legislation they want. But Democrats don’t have a monopoly on good ideas. If they’re smart (are you listening Ben?), they will seek Republicans’ input and legislate any idea that improves our lives, regardless of where it comes from.
The Senate is more complicated. Democrats are a few seats shy of the sixty votes needed to pass most legislation. The question is, what will Senate Republicans do?
If the past is prologue, they will do everything possible to ensure no legislation reaches the Oval Office. Their hope would be that legislative gridlock turns voters against Democrats in 2028. Trump may encourage this. He doesn’t want to choose between agreeing with Democrats or vetoing popular legislation. A presidential veto requires a two-thirds Senate majority to override. This is a big ask of Republicans, but without it, the result is the same: no help for Americans.
The other path is for Senate Republicans to work with Democrats. In this scenario, some Republicans realize that populist anger could end their careers — if they don’t help to meaningfully ease our pain. This will require a Republican spine, distancing themselves from Trump and MAGA.
I have no idea which paths politicians will take. I have high hopes for House Democrats, guarded hope for John Curtis, almost no hope for Trump, and zero for Mike Lee.
In the fullness of time, all will be revealed!
Scott Bell, West Jordan