As fresh faces arrive in Washington to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, they encounter an especially difficult dynamic: attempting to chart their respective roles within a Congress heavily influenced by the presence and policies of Donald Trump.
The first termers, each elected to bring a different perspective to Capitol Hill, are setting their positions on key issues from healthcare and economic reform to immigration and climate change. However, since Trump remains a potent force within the GOP, many lawmakers face the challenge of reconciling personal priorities with the power of the former president in making decisions on what the party’s agenda entails.
Many of the new members represent swing districts, and their different profiles and platforms that saw them through were close wins. Keen to bring new solutions to old problems, they look forward to working across party lines, though the current political climate makes bipartisan collaboration a real challenge. Those issues closely tied to Trump’s policies – border security, economic recovery, and international relations, to name a few – create an environment where his influence within the Republican caucus threatens those who want to speak out lest they lose party support.
Some are embracing the Trump approach, allying themselves with his policies, and seeking to ride his voter base to establish their credibility. The others would push for a more moderate stance, believing that spreading out their coalition more is required to sustain in the long run in Washington.
The New Democrats are also getting used to a Congress within which they are going to face not just the Republican majority in the House but also the sort of influence cast by Trump’s shadow. They are keen to pass their campaign promises and to be able to advocate on the most progressive policies to do with healthcare, voting rights, and social reform within what is going to be a very challenging legislative environment. Many are annoyed with the extent of this polarized environment, which they accept is partly cast through the influence by which Trump orders his party to approach governance.
As these newcomers settle into their roles, the ability to navigate the complex landscape Trump’s influence has shaped will be in large part what defines the shape of their tenures. For Republicans and Democrats alike, finding themselves in this new era of Congress may rely as much on balancing their platforms against the prevailing political tides.
