Playbook
POLITICO reported last week a number of possibilities as U.S. House Republicans gathered for a weekend retreat; Democrats held theirs earlier this month.
Their goal, obviously, is to secure a majority in the House. The agenda they’ll use that takes them there is less certain.
At this point, there seems to be agreement that “kitchen table” issues will win with voters. So they’re planning specific proposals to counter inflation, enhance border security, and restore energy independence. The idea is to present what one representative called a “grand plan” of specific legislation.
The trick is finding enough agreement within their caucus to actually lead to bills being written. What should the focus be? Is it energy prices, health care, China, a stronger Southern border, reining in big tech companies…or something else?
So by the time you hear this on Monday, they might have a better idea of what specific proposals they can get behind as a group in hopes of that being a winning agenda come November.
But then comes the hard part…actually governing. That wasn’t well done with the GOP held the House, Senate and White House in 2017…and it’s not going well now with the Democrats in working control of all three now.
Obviously, part of this is tied to the Senate. A Democrat Senate and a Republican House will be at odds. But even if the Capitol is fully led by the GOP, how would they work with President Biden? They don’t want to give him momentum heading into 2024. And, as always, there’s the Trump factor and how his agenda would fit with—or run contrary to—the GOP legislative plan.
For now, it’s all talk. But how much of that talk moves into agreement and action will tell the tale of these upcoming midterm elections.
