Democrats Won—Now Don’t Blow It
by Tom Suozzi
We won. Democrats gained control of Congress. Now what?
We need to govern. Our time is limited, and our to-do list enormous. Running headlong into impeachment would be politically self-destructive. I understand the temptation. The MAGA machine spent millions attacking me. Vice President JD Vance came to my district and called me “the worst congressman in the entire United States.”
But Americans didn’t vote for another two years of political warfare. They want relief from rising costs, leaders who work across party lines, and a Congress that actually solves problems.
My CPA background taught me to think in percentages. Democrats should devote 75% of our time to the cost of living and affordability and the other 25% to rigorous oversight.
Our constitutional oversight responsibility should be guided by the interests of the American people. An investigation into the Trump family’s business dealings, including their cryptocurrency ventures, must examine the effect on Americans’ pocketbooks. When Democrats probe whether the Pentagon or Elon Musk shut down Ukraine’s access to Starlink, we must assess the national-security consequences.
But we campaigned on affordability. Let’s start with restoring the enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, which Republicans refused to extend. Reverse the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Medicaid cuts. End most of President Trump’s tariffs, raise the minimum wage, strengthen unions through the PRO Act, and expand opportunities for families to build wealth, including the Trump Accounts. Let’s also protect Social Security by lifting the cap on taxable earnings.
We should take up comprehensive immigration reform, combining border security and the removal of dangerous criminals with due-process protections, while also delivering a functional asylum system, professional enforcement, and permanent earned work authorization for law-abiding immigrants. Oversight will expose Mr. Trump’s immigration abuses. Only legislation can fix the system.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the labor force, the economy and national security. We can work across party lines to encourage innovation while protecting workers and consumers.
Finally, we must scrutinize the administration’s decisions on spending, healthcare, energy and national security, especially the wars in Iran and Ukraine, and develop a clear plan to replenish munitions and ensure readiness.
Some Democrats will demand a third impeachment of Mr. Trump. That would become another partisan spectacle, drowning out the issues voters elected us to address. I will oppose any impeachment process based on political anger, revenge or retribution.
The measure of Democrats’ success won’t be how many headlines we generate or scores we settle. It will be whether families can afford healthcare, housing, groceries and a better future.
As a co-chairman of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, I know Republicans and Democrats can work together without abandoning their principles or constitutional duties. Mr. Trump made this election a referendum on himself. Voters delivered their verdict. They expect results.
Mr. Suozzi, a Democrat, represents New York’s Third Congressional District.