Monday, January 20, 2025
President-elect Donald Trump and the Republican Party campaigned as the party of change. It worked. With control of the presidency, Congress and the Supreme Court now in Republican hands, the questions remain: Will Republicans eschew my-way-or-the-highway? And will Democrats move beyond resistance? If they really want to help fix what ails us, both parties need to embrace bipartisanship and common sense for the common good.
Some of the president-elect’s more unconventional cabinet appointments and his, and the GOP congressional leadership’s, approach to the recent budget negotiations — which almost resulted in another shutdown — hint at a concerning trajectory. Despite their narrow majority in the House, certain extremist lawmakers seem more focused on ideological divisions than on fostering collaboration across party lines.
The electorate rejected the leftward turn that some in my party have taken — on things like border policy, defunding the police, and promoting identity politics instead of searching for common ground — and so do I. As a common-sense Democrat who won in a district that Trump also won, my New Year’s resolution is to continue to reject extremism and reach across party lines to get things done.
But GOP extremists are misreading their victories as an all-encompassing mandate. Trump secured the presidency with less than half the popular vote, Republicans barely retained the House, and the Senate is still far from the filibuster-proof majority required for unilateral policymaking.
The election was not a mandate for one-party rule. Instead it was a mandate for action on critical issues like border security, immigration reform, economic recovery, and balanced cultural values. Making progress on these fronts demands bipartisan cooperation. This year should be marked by both parties’ efforts to prioritize securing the borders, comprehensive immigration reform, inflation control and cultural compromises rooted in mutual respect.
The divisive rhetoric must give way to a fresh approach. Since Trump’s political rise almost a decade ago, his every move has been scrutinized, criticized, and attacked, yet he continues to garner support. Americans are fatigued by endless blame games. They want leaders who work together, find common ground and solve problems.
Some members of my party are doubling down on resistance, framing themselves as opposition warriors against the incoming administration. That’s not the right approach. While resistance has a role — in the past, I opposed efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and deport Dreamers — governance demands more than just opposition. True leadership involves building coalitions, articulating a clear vision and proposing actionable solutions.
Take immigration as an example: We must secure the border and deport criminals, but that’s only part of the equation. Reforming the asylum system, modernizing legal immigration and creating pathways to legalization for Dreamers, temporary protected status recipients and farm workers are equally vital. These efforts should respect the rule of law, uphold family unity and strengthen our economy. We must also treat people like human beings.
For Democrats to remain credible, we must balance resistance with constructive policy proposals. Focusing solely on opposition risks branding us as obstructionists rather than solution-oriented leaders.
Moving forward, we must rebuild the middle class, increase the minimum wage, harmonize environmental goals with affordable energy solutions, strengthen Social Security, Medicare and the child tax credit, and respect religious values and individual rights. This requires leadership in both parties — leaders willing to break free from the ideological extremes. Extremists have paralyzed bipartisan progress and intimidated too many politicians who have been afraid to reach for common ground.
The recent election was a wake-up call. Americans are done with partisan gridlock; they’re demanding pragmatic leadership. It’s time to reject extremism and embrace collaboration rooted in common sense.
As for me, in 2025 I will continue fostering relationships across the aisle, guided by a simple principle: I’ll work with anyone willing to solve problems and serve the public, but I won’t compromise my core values.
This moment presents both a challenge and an opportunity. By prioritizing bipartisan efforts, Republicans and Democrats can make 2025 a better year for us all. The stakes are immense, and the nation is watching. Let’s remember that the job of elected officials is to represent the people they serve and not their party. Let’s fix this!
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
