Democratic congressman calls for compromise with Trump's agenda: 'Mistake' to resist

Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., wrote a New York Times guest essay advocating for Democratic lawmakers to cooperate with President-elect Donald Trump in his second term.

The congressman confessed in his piece that the 2024 election results indicate that voters prefer the Democratic Party to cooperate on significant issues, such as the economy and immigration, instead of opposing Trump's agenda as they did during his first term.

As a Democrat in Congress, I am aware that my party will be tempted to oppose Mr. Trump at every opportunity: by uniting against his legislation, obstructing his nominees, and slowing down the work of the House and Senate. However, this would be a mistake.

Suozzi, elected to New York's 3rd Congressional District, admitted he is cautious about Trump's ability to cooperate with Democrats, citing some of the former president's post-election behavior.

Mr. Trump's actions do not reassure that he is ready to embrace bipartisanship and compromise, as seen in his "radical cabinet picks," his demands for the government spending bill, and his "hubris" in bringing businessmen and advisers Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy around Capitol Hill.

Suozzi advised that Trump should "embrace his inner dealmaker and negotiate with the other party that holds just shy of half of the seats on Capitol Hill and key governorships around the country," adding that if Trump does that, "Democrats should meet him halfway rather than be the Party of No."

The lawmaker criticized his party's "significant leftward shift" and emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation. He stated that both sides of the aisle want to work together, but as a moderate Democrat who won in a district Trump also won, he believed the electorate would prefer bipartisan solutions over political stalemate.

He recognized that Trump's victory was viewed as a "mandate" by the American people, but emphasized it wasn't an endorsement of "one-party rule."

He contended that the 2024 campaign results signaled a need for border security, immigration reform, low inflation, economic stability, and a shared understanding on culture-war issues.

He continued by providing examples of what Democratic compromises could look like, specifically regarding climate change. He stated, "Democrats must maintain our passion to combat climate change while also considering practical measures that ensure affordable utility bills and reasonable gas prices."

"Suozzi stated that liberals should embrace efforts to make government more efficient and effective while upholding the rights, safety, and dignity of all, and while defending the strengthening of Social Security, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act."

Suozzi stated that his New Year's resolution was to transcend political divisions and promote "rationality."