Summary
Overview
This Crooked Con panel features Senator Brian Schatz, Senator Ruben Gallego, and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal discussing what Democrats would do with a majority in 2026, followed by interviews with New York mayoral transition co-chair Lina Khan about consumer protection and antitrust enforcement. The conversation covers Democratic strategy, policy priorities like affordability and voting rights, the filibuster debate, and threats to consumer protection under the Trump administration.
Democratic Chances of Winning Back the Senate and House
The panelists assess Democrats' prospects for retaking Congress in 2026. Senator Schatz argues the odds are similar to the Ossoff-Warnock Georgia runoffs that gave Democrats the Senate majority. Senator Gallego emphasizes the urgency, noting that Social Security and Medicare face funding challenges in the 2030s that Republicans could exploit. Congresswoman Jayapal warns about Republican threats to democracy, including potential refusal to seat Democratic winners.
- Democrats have roughly the same chance of taking the Senate as before Ossoff and Warnock won Georgia, with Maine and North Carolina as key targets
- Social Security won't pay 100% of benefits by 2033-2034, making Democratic control crucial to protect these programs
- Republicans may refuse to seat Democratic winners like Adelita Grijalva, requiring Democrats to prepare for undemocratic tactics
- Special elections in Trump+20 districts like Tennessee show opportunities to build power even in unlikely places
" Democrats have to win. We have no choice but to win because we're about to hit some really hard periods. In about 2033, 2034, Social Security is not going to pay 100% of its benefit. If you don't have a Democratic-held Senate, White House, and House, you're going to see these Republicans screw Social Security. "
First Priorities with a Democratic Majority
The panelists debate what Democrats should tackle first if they win majorities. Senator Schatz prioritizes extending ACA subsidies to prevent massive premium increases. Senator Gallego advocates for a $20 minimum wage indexed to inflation as the opening move. Congresswoman Jayapal outlines three buckets: affordability (childcare, housing, healthcare), structural reforms (voting rights, Supreme Court), and accountability for Trump administration lawlessness.
- Extending ACA tax credits is the immediate fight, with 24 million people facing $1,200-1,400 monthly premium increases
- A $20 minimum wage increase pegged to inflation would brand Democrats as the party of working people
- Democrats should pass affordable housing, childcare, and healthcare as universal programs, not just for those below poverty lines
- Structural reforms needed include voting rights, Supreme Court ethics, and immigration reform
" Everything they're doing, Republicans are making you sicker and poorer. In everything they're doing, they're just making you sicker and poorer. Inflation's up, you're poorer. Medicaid's being cut, you're sicker. The ACA extension's going to cut off 24 million people from affordable health insurance. "
" We should pass a minimum wage increase to $20 an hour. And one bill, $20 an hour, and it should be pegged to growth with inflation so we never find ourselves in a situation right now where working class people are basically doing poverty wages. "
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