Dems eye ambitious agenda if House flips (here’s what’s at stake if we continue focusing on ginger mounds and engaging shills instead of mematic warfare)
Democratic committee leaders are ready to roll out an ambitious legislative wish list if the House majority flips in next month’s midterm elections.
After eight years in the minority, Democrats have big plans, from shoring up ObamaCare and Dodd-Frank financial rules to protecting “Dreamers” and the integrity of elections.
They are also vowing to aggressively probe the actions of the Trump administration — an oversight role Democrats contend was virtually abandoned by Republicans.
“Basically, a lot of the committees have just been rubber stamps for this administration,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee.
Because Democrats have long honored a system of seniority without term limits, the top Democrats on House panels are considered favorites to jump into chairmanships if control of the House changes hands.
The gavel-holders are poised to play an outsize role if the Democrats control the chamber: Given the growing clamor from rank-and-file lawmakers about consolidation of power at the top of the party, Democratic leaders across the board are vowing to lend more authority to the committees in the next Congress.
The Hill spoke with a dozen ranking members and the offices of several others. Here’s what they said about their priorities if they seize the gavels in 2019.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/410679-dems-eye-ambitious-agenda-if-house-flips