OPINION:
A single “big, beautiful bill” that makes America more affordable and reestablishes our sovereignty can get through the House by a surprising margin.
If the potential Tax Cuts, Jobs, and Affordability Act also includes border security, reversing illegal immigration, deregulation, and lowering energy prices, it should be popular enough to gain Democrat support.
For instance, some Democratic senators indicate support for the Laken Riley Act, which was passed last week in the House. This is a sign of how President-elect Donald Trump’s victory may have changed Washington’s patterns.
There is an important lesson here.
House Speaker Mike Johnson did not win a 264-159 victory by negotiating with the House Democratic leadership. He got the votes of 48 Democrats because they felt pressure from back home. They were uncomfortable trying to explain a “no” vote on expediting the deportation of criminal aliens.
Similarly, in the Senate, it appears 10 or more Democratic senators may vote with the Republicans to eliminate the threat of a filibuster against the Laken Riley Act. Again, this is not occurring because Senate Majority Leader John Thune is negotiating with Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
Paul Weyrich, one of the great innovators of the conservative movement in the 1970s and 1980s, had a simple rule for dealing with Democrats. He often said, “I will either get your vote in Washington, or I will defeat you back home.” This model led President Ronald Reagan to get his three-year tax bill. Reagan did not negotiate with Democratic Speaker Tip O’Neill. He appealed to the nation. Grassroots pressure convinced 46 House Democrats to vote with him and against the Democratic speaker.
There is a great opportunity for Mr. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance to barnstorm the country and visit key Democratic districts. There are 34 Democrats from marginal districts. They should expect grassroots revolts against them if they vote for higher taxes, less take-home pay, higher energy prices, an open border, and more illegal immigration.
The 2024 election was largely decided on the issues of ending high inflation and securing the border. It’s also clear Americans support tax cuts. According to a recent poll by McLaughlin & Associates, 70% of Americans want to see the tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made permanent. Only 17% oppose this. Eighty-two percent of Americans want to end federal taxes on Social Security income (11% oppose). Similarly, 71% want to end federal taxes on tips for service workers, and 66% want to end federal taxes on overtime pay for workers.
The potential Democratic House votes come from two kinds of districts. Thirteen of these districts were carried by Mr. Trump. The other 21 districts were narrowly won by Vice President Kamala Harris by 5% or less.
This strategy does not involve getting support from the House Democratic leadership. They would only support a bill that would not achieve President Trump’s goals.
The principle is simple. Liberals govern from Washington to impose their views on the country, while conservatives govern from the grassroots to impose change on Washington. Reagan described this phenomenon in his January 1989 farewell address. He said his legislative victories all came from the American people’s hard work and active support.
That must be the model Messrs. Trump and Johnson use if they are going to get their values and policies enacted into law.
These are the 34 Democrats who could be persuaded.
Thirteen Democrats in Trump-won districts: Adam Gray, California’s 13th; Jared Golden, Maine’s 2nd; Marcy Kaptur, Ohio’s 9th; Don Davis, North Carolina’s 1st; Vincente Gonzalez, Texas’ 34th; Susie Lee, Nevada’s 3rd; Thomas Suozzi, New York’s 3rd; Josh Harder, California’s 9th; Marie Glusenkamp Perez, Washington’s 3rd, Gabe Vasquez, New Mexico’s 2nd; Henry Cuellar, Texas’ 28th; Nellie Pou, New Jersey’s 9th; and Kristen McDonald Rivet, Michigan’s 8th.
Twenty-one Democrats in seats Harris narrowly won: Emilia Sykes, Ohio’s 13th; Frank Mrvan, Indiana’s 1st; Josh Riley, New York’s 19th; Laura Gillen, New York’s 4th; Josh Gottheimer, New Jersey’s 5th; Derek Tran, California’s 45th; Jared Moskowitz, Florida’s 23rd; Chris Pappas, New Hampshire’s 1st; Dina Titus, Nevada’s 1st; Pat Ryan, New York’s 18th; Raul Ruiz, California’s 25th; Steven Horsford, Nevada’s 4th; Eugene Vindman, Virginia’s 7th; Darren Sotto, Florida’s 9th; Maggie Goodlander, New Hampshire’s 2nd; Jim Costa, California’s 21st; George Whitesides, California’s 27th; Sharice Davids, Kansas’ 3rd; Dave Min, California’s 47th; Eric Sorensen, Illinois’ 17th; and Teresa Leger Fernandez, New Mexico’s 3rd.
If you live in one of these districts — or have relatives or friends who live in them — you can help pass one big, beautiful bill this spring.
• For more commentary from Newt Gingrich, visit Gingrich360.com. Also, subscribe to the Newt’s World podcast.
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