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Suozzi Calls for Pragmatism, Constructive Engagement with Trump




By Rupert Deedes

 

In a recent op-ed in the New York Times, titled "Let's Try Something Different in How We Deal with Trump," Democratic US Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY3) urges a shift in the Democratic Party's approach toward President Donald Trump.

 

Suozzi argues that opposition for opposition sake, and a rejection of everything the Trump administration plans to do, is the wrong approach.

 

He writes that “to change and fix America requires both parties to work together....Only by working together to find compromise on parts of the president-elect’s agenda can we make progress for Americans who are clearly demanding change in the economy, immigration, crime and other top issues.”

 

Suozzi emphasizes the importance of moving beyond entrenched partisan resistance to seek areas of bipartisan cooperation that serve the nation's interests. 

 

President Trump "needs to embrace his inner dealmaker and negotiate with the other party that holds just shy of half of the seats in Congress and key governorships around the country," writes Suozzi.. "And if he does that work, Democrats should meet him halfway rather than be the party of no.”

 

Suozzi is critical of the left wing of his party.

 

“Some members of my party and left-leaning advocacy groups are now branding themselves as the leaders of a national resistance movement, reflexively opposing ideas from the incoming administration," writes Suozzi. "That’s a bad strategy.”

 

Suozzi was elected as the Co-Chairman of the House Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan Democrat-Republican committee composed of equal numbers of Representatives from each party, to try to bridge differences and find common cause.

 

Suozzi underscores the necessity of addressing critical issues such as border security and the deportation of criminal migrants. He notes that “as a common-sense Democrat who won in a district that Mr. Trump also won, I am certain our closely divided electorate would rather have bipartisan solutions than political gridlock.”

 

Suozzi acknowledges the support he received from Trump voters in his district and stresses the need for tangible results over partisan politics. Suozzi also commends efforts to restore state and local tax deductions and highlights the significance of New Yorkers holding key positions within the Trump administration.

 

He reiterates his commitment to collaborating on shared priorities while opposing the president when necessary. 

 

“My New Year’s resolution is to rise above partisanship and bickering, reject extremism and embrace common sense and keep building relationships with Republicans and Democrats to get things done,” added Suozzi.

 

“We have to remember that the ultimate goal of government should be serving the American people, not our respective parties.”

 

Suozzi's perspective reflects a broader sentiment among some Democrats who, despite previous criticisms during the election, are now open to working with President Trump on various issues.

 

Figures such as Bronx US Representative Ritchie Torres and Westchester US Representative George Latimer have expressed willingness to collaborate on technology, tax deductions, border security, and infrastructure.

 

Even some left-leaning figures like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders are ready to cooperate on capping credit card interest rates

The Leader, The North Shore's Leading Weekly |

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