At the end of the day, what matters most in Washington are the bills that are passed and the laws that are made. Big legislation fuels Washington and changes America. As much as any war America has fought since World War II, landmark legislation is what defines a legacy and shapes the world we live in.
When Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States later this month, everyone will be watching how his administration engages with the 115th Congress. In recent years, the maneuvering between the White House and Congress has become tired and predictable, but a new dynamic is here — and it could have historic consequences.
President Obama was unable to build coalitions during his time in office; gridlock reigned. Obama was easily perplexed. I think he considered any opposition unreasonable, so he was quick to throw in the towel. This left Washington spinning its wheels. The House of Representatives passed legislation it knew the Senate couldn’t pass and the president would not sign. A lot of legislating became about cosmetics, theatrics and political posturing rather than any real effort to do anything big. Well, less than a month from now, for the first time since 2009, there will be a window for big bills to pass both houses and be signed into law by President Trump.
There are a number of big legislative efforts that the Republican-led Congress could undertake in a bipartisan fashion. Already, the Republican leadership is saying tax reform, regulatory reform, an infrastructure package and a massive reorganization of Obamacare will all be top priorities. Republicans are optimistic that they will be able to move quickly on at least some of these items. Others, such as the process to repeal and replace Obamacare, will take a lot longer to come to fruition.
But, as The Post’s Paul Kane points out, many presidents have come into office prepared to make sweeping changes right out of the gate, “then they met the United States Senate.” The reality check of the Senate will challenge Trump within his first 100 days, but there is some good news for the Trump administration. First, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), more than anyone else I know in Washington, always has a plan. Everything the Trump administration wants and every dream of the conservative GOP House will end up on his doorstep. Second, 23 Democratic senators and the two Independent senators who caucus with the Democrats will be up for reelection in the 2018 midterms. And, 11 of those 25 senators are from states that Trump won in the 2016 election (or, in the case of Maine, at least partially won). That means those senators have to worry about losing their reelection back home if they act as agents of gridlock for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and don’t support at least some changes in Washington.
The effectiveness of the new dynamic in Washington is mostly up to Trump and his team. While no president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has entered office with as much raw political power as President Trump will have, knowing what is possible, recruiting votes and counting votes won’t be easy. And let’s face it: Trump isn’t a uniter — but he is a deal-maker. “Uniting” may be an overused word and an overrated concept; plus, being effective isn’t always about being nice and bringing people together. Trump will be tested to see whether he can use what he has — from Twitter to the powers of the American presidency — to show some results by making Washington work again.