Barring the abolition of the filibuster, any legislation coming out of the new Congress will require bipartisan support in the Senate. Is there any prospect for meaningful cooperation in the next two years?
On paper, yes. Here are some of the most likely candidates:
- PERMITTING REFORM: This is an issue that doesn’t interest the reactionary base much, which helps. The opponents, for the most part, are environmental interests on the left and business interests on the right.
- AI GUARDRAILS: The desire to regulate AI cuts across party lines. One can imagine an unusual alliance between the reactionary base and the left against business interests that would generate enough votes for passage.
- TARIFF REFORM: An alliance of GOP free traders, particularly in agricultural states, and the left to eliminate some of Trump’s more obnoxious tariffs could conceivably get 60 votes.
- IMMIGRATION REFORM: The extremists on both sides have had their way and been punished for it at the polls. Moderates in both parties could work together to fashion a compromise, right?
- REMOVE THE FICA CAP: Bernie Moreno and Elizabeth Warren have already co-sponsored legislation to do this. If they can agree, why not others?
The problem, of course, is Trump. He might buy off on #1, but not on the rest. Don’t hold your breath on any of these proposals.