President Trump, coming off of his victory on tax policy, indicated he wished to work with Democrats in a bipartisan manner to advance certain policy issues, starting with infrastructure.
“At some point, and for the good of the country, I predict we will start working with the Democrats in a Bipartisan fashion,” Trump tweeted Friday. “Infrastructure would be a perfect place to start. After having foolishly spent $7 trillion in the Middle East, it is time to start rebuilding our country!”
Our big and very popular Tax Cut and Reform Bill has taken on an unexpected new source of “love” – that is big companies and corporations showering their workers with bonuses. This is a phenomenon that nobody even thought of, and now it is the rage. Merry Christmas!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 22, 2017
During the 2016 campaign, Trump first promised to deliver a $1 trillion infrastructure plan to improve the condition of U.S. roads, bridges, airports, and other public works.
Democrats including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., expressed interest to work with the administration to produce an infrastructure package earlier in 2017, but many liberals had pushed for a strategy of total resistance to Trump, fearing that giving him bipartisan legislative accomplishments would add more legitimacy to what they see as a tainted presidency. Brutal partisan fights in Congress over healthcare and tax reform have only reduced the likelihood Democrats would want to work with Trump on an infrastructure proposal.
The White House is expected to release an approximately 70-page infrastructure proposal in January for members of Congress to use to assist drafting legislation.
