With Congress likely to be split — Republicans controlling the lower chamber and Democrats the upper chamber — House Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling on “non-MAGA Republicans” to work with Dems to pass legislation.
In an interview with the New York Times on Monday (November 14), Schumer indicated he would reach out to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other Republicans.
Schumer’s plan is to ensure that there can be significant legislative accomplishments rather than a stalemate in the next two years.
The House Majority Leader stated that he believed his olive branch would be met in kind, given Republicans “know embracing Trump and MAGA is a failure.”
He conceded that “not all” Republicans were aware of that, “but a large number” is.
Schumer’s comments come as Democrats prevented the predicted red wave during the midterms. Many candidates backed by former President Donald Trump and those embracing rhetoric about the stolen 2020 elections lost their races.
Following the midterms, outgoing Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) called the results a win for “team normal,” while mega-Republican donor billionaire Ken Griffin revealed he was pleased that extremes on both sides had lost.
During his interview with the New York Times, Schumer didn’t mention the areas he expected parties to cooperate on but mentioned that Democrats’ midterm performance was a gift for passing legislation on prescription drugs, gun safety, and climate change.
But, McConnell may not be open to negotiation, telling the New York Times that unless Democrats “help [Republicans] address the ways their policies are hurting families,” they would receive “stiff opposition.”
