Democrats to Work with Trump: Likely Labor & Employment Legislation

Various sources report that Democrats will fast-track legislation that holds Donald Trump to his campaign promises to improve economic conditions for the working class. Look for these possibilities:

$15 per Hour Minimum Wage: This is why Bernie Sanders is being named a Senate leader. His campaign message for this massive hike in the minimum wage was very popular with voters. Business will go all out to block this bill, putting Trump between the people and Pence Republicans.

Massachusetts Severance-Pay Law: The liberal state of Massachusetts passed a law in the 1990s that required any company that closed a plant to relocate out of state to pay every laid-off worker two years of severance. This is partly why Massachusetts Senator Warren is being added to the leadership team. Business will go all out to block this bill, putting Trump between the people and Pence Republicans.

Paid Family Leave (Six Weeks for Child or Elder-Care): This is Ivanka’s signature campaign idea, widely publicized as a result of her Republican National Convention speech. Business will go all out to block this bill, putting Trump between the people and Pence Republicans.

Union Wages for Massive Infrastructure Projects: Trump wants to rebuild America. Republicans have been lukewarm to the idea because it will increase federal spending—and Republicans are keen on stripping out union-pay provisions. That would amount to shortchanging American workers. Business will go all out to block this bill, putting Trump between the people and Pence Republicans.

The Long-Play in This Strategy: Democrats think that working-class Americans want financial relief ASAP, and are not so interested in reproductive politics or privatizing Social Security (Paul Ryan’s dream legislation). However this plays out, two things stand out: 1. Ordinary workers matter. 2. The U.S. Constitution has a remarkable set of separation-of-powers features that prevent the nominal “winning” party from taking over the government. Photo Credit: Editorial cartoonist Gary Varvel.