Parts of Democrats' Agenda May Mesh with GOP

Nov. 18, 2006 — -- Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid used his party's radio address this week to outline the new Democratic majority's legislative agenda.

Reid's words mark the opening move in what Democrats hope will be a grand bargain with the Bush administration and business interests on tax and economic issues.

In other areas, though, the Democrats appear to be drawing battle lines with the president that both parties could find useful as they seek to define themselves for the 2008 presidential election -- the first in 80 years in which a sitting president or vice president is not a likely candidate.

"Democrats pray the president will work with us, because we're ready to work with him," said Reid, who will become majority leader when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3. "We want to put politics aside and put bipartisanship, open government and results in its place."

Reid said the new Democratic Congress would "fight for … an economy that lifts working Americans and the squeezed middle class." Specifically, he said it would push to raise the federal minimum wage, "provide tax relief for working families" and make health care and college more affordable.

Business lobbyists and Democratic lawmakers have discussed a possible deal that would see business interests supporting a hike in the minimum wage and an expansion of student loan programs. Such concessions would come in exchange for Democratic support to reduce trade barriers and some business regulations.

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., in line to reclaim his post as chairman of the business-regulating Energy and Commerce Committee, has said he would hold hearings on trade practices he considers unfair and harmful to U.S. businesses and workers.

Dingell, the longest serving member of the House, said he would work with Republicans because "it's best to legislate from the middle."

And New York Rep. Charles Rangel, the Harlem lawmaker set to be chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, has moved to avoid confrontation with Republicans by ruling out any attempt to repeal estate and capital gains tax cuts -- a claim Republicans used against Democrats in the closing days of the campaign. Those provisions are scheduled to expire in 2010.

"Why should we be talking now about 2010?" Rangel has told reporters. "I'm 76 years old and I don't buy green bananas."