Trump deal, GOP retirements have Dems riding higher

WASHINGTON — Relegated for months to playing defense, congressional Democrats are rising again. They’ve been revitalized by the deal their leaders cut with President Donald Trump this week and by a trickle of GOP retirements that have boosted their hopes of capturing House control next year.

It’s unlikely the startling agreement between Trump and top Democrats on increasing the federal debt limit, which surprised and undermined Republicans, augurs an era of broad bipartisan cooperation. Trump has shown no clear governing philosophy, can abruptly shift views and still favors policies Democrats abhor such as erasing the Obama health care law. Many Democrats find it hard to even contemplate working with him.

For now, however, Trump’s agreement with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to extend the government’s borrowing authority and keep agencies open for three months gives the Democrats plenty of clout. When Congress revisits those must-pass issues in December, Trump and GOP leaders will need Democratic votes, opening the door to possible Republican concessions on protecting young immigrants from deportation, bolstering President Barack Obama’s health care statute and other issues.

The House sent Trump the legislation Friday — which he quickly signed — with the three-month extension plus $15 billion in aid for victims of Hurricane Harvey. In the 316-90 result, all 90 “no” votes came from the chamber’s 240 Republicans, underscoring the likelihood Trump will need Democrats in December.

“It gives us a possibility for passing the Dream Act on that bill,” Pelosi told reporters Friday. That’s a Democratic measure that would chisel legal safeguards into law for about 800,000 immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and now here illegally. GOP congressional leaders wanted the borrowing increase to last beyond the 2018 elections, which would have stolen that opportunity from Democrats.

Also feeding the Democrats’ swagger are retirement announcements by Republicans in Democratic-leaning or swing House districts. Departing Republicans include Reps. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, Washington’s Dave Reichert and Florida’s Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Democrats must gain 24 seats in November 2018 to win House control, a steep climb. But 23 Republicans represent districts Democrat Hillary Clinton won in last year’s presidential election, including Reichert and Ros-Lehtinen. Democrats are further heartened by numerous candidates emerging in districts around the country, and a history of congressional gains by the party that doesn’t hold the White House.