Warren urges Democrats to act on costs and corruption

Warren said Democrats won midterm contests by presenting themselves as populist economic fighters willing to confront corporate interests and politicians she argued had rigged the system. Her proposed priorities include ending what she called Trump’s illegal war in Iran, lowering costs for working families, reversing cuts to Medicaid and nutrition assistance, undoing tax cuts for the wealthy, and holding major technology companies, Wall Street executives and corporations accountable.

She said Democrats should remain open to cooperation with Republicans but be prepared to use budget reconciliation, which can bypass the Senate’s 60-vote threshold for some legislation, or eliminate the filibuster. If Trump vetoes bills, Warren argued, Democrats should first pass measures popular with the public and make him decide whether to reject them. Waiting two years for a future Democratic trifecta, she wrote, would betray voters who backed the party on costs and corruption.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, also said the midterm victories were significant but insufficient. In a video message, he called for action on income and wealth inequality, the federal minimum wage, artificial intelligence, campaign finance and the for-profit health care system. He said proposals including Medicare for All and expanding Social Security have broad public support, and urged Democrats to show that government can respond to people’s needs rather than primarily to wealthy campaign contributors.