President Trump has encouraged voters to treat the Nov. 3 midterm elections as a referendum on his administration, and this time his political advice is sound. Americans should vote with the Trump administration in mind, weighing his failure to keep campaign promises, attempts to undermine democracy, and flagrant corruption. Voters should also hold the Republican Party accountable for its acquiescence to this abuse of power.
While today’s Democratic Party has flaws and has failed to present a coherent agenda, Democrats offer the only viable alternative to the damage inflicted by Mr. Trump and his party. A Democratic vote is the best way for Americans to repudiate the Trump administration’s performance over the past two years. If Democrats retake both houses of Congress and gain control of more state governments, it will signal that Mr. Trump does not represent most Americans and demonstrate that a nation sliding toward autocracy can return to normalcy.
Most important, a Democratic majority would create a desperately needed check on Mr. Trump during his final two years in office. The House could end his legislative ambitions, block further tax cuts worsening the national debt, and use must-pass spending bills to restore funding for Medicaid, schools, scientific research, and disease prevention. Congressional committees would finally exercise their constitutional duty through hearings, subpoenas, and investigations.
If Democrats take the Senate, they can stop Mr. Trump from appointing unqualified cabinet members and ideologues, and insist on federal judges who uphold the law. The Senate’s confirmation role becomes especially critical if Supreme Court vacancies arise. Regardless, Americans now have an opportunity to register their displeasure with Mr. Trump’s conduct and should seize it.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing