With polls showing a Democratic takeover of at least one house of Congress more likely every day, it’s probably a good time to consider what Democrats will actually do once in charge. Republicans have offered up lots of scary rhetoric about what the Democrats will do, including raising taxes, banning Christianity, and generally destroying America. Fortunately, a pro-Democratic columnist, Harold Meyerson, has spelled from the Democratic side exactly what the Democratic agenda will be.
First, the bread and butter issues that Democrats have pushed for the last several years, but haven’t seen it taken up for vote. Raising the minimum wage, repealing the Medicare proscription against the government negotiating for lower prescription drug prices, and replenishing student loan programs.
He doesn’t mention a bill to repeal parts of Bush’s tax cut, but that’s likely to be included too – it has broad appeal and it would help lower the deficit.
A hot-button issue the Dems will push is a stem cell research bill. This will force Bush to veto it, and the Congress can consider an override.
On national security, the Dems will fully implement the September 11 Commission findings. On Iraq, things will be trickier. But if the Baker-Hamilton study calls for a phased withdrawal from Iraq, expect to see Democrats push for the same. The bipartisan study group will give cover to Democrats itching to get out of Iraq. It’s also very possible that Ike Shelton and Jack Murtha will push through a bill expanding the military, including especially the Special Forces.
On ethics, the Congress will ban members from accepting gifts or trips from lobbyists. It will also change the way that the minority party can introduce legislation – a major complaint about DeLay.
There are a few other items like proposals for more energy independence and, potentially, some sort of move toward health care reform.
This is likely to be the Democratic agenda. It’s what the Democrats have campaigned on. If they fail to deliver on this agenda, they will be held accountable by the voters in 2008.
All of this depends on this election, of course. If the Dems don’t take the House, none of this will happen. If they take the House and the Senate, they’ll have a better chance of passing these items. But at least we have some idea of what the Democrats will do. Undoubtedly there will be a lot of investigations of the Bush Administration, and lots of continued partisan rancor. But at least some of the agenda should be forward-looking and not just accusatory.