In a direct appeal to fellow Democrats, Sen.-elect James Talarico (D-Texas) made the case Thursday that the party must find common ground with President Trump to achieve meaningful results before the current administration winds down. Speaking at the What's Next conference in Denver, Talarico argued that waiting for a new president in 2029 is not an option for voters who need action now.
“Some of these reforms might not pass 'til 2029, but the American people cannot wait two years for change. So we must work with President Trump,” Talarico said, according to remarks reported by The Hill. He emphasized that Democrats should focus on delivering on economic relief, political reform, and immigration policy in the remaining two years of Trump's term.
Talarico, who will become the first Democratic senator from Texas since 1988, has built a reputation for seeking bipartisan solutions. He even invoked the legacy of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, a Texan known for legislative prowess. “If President Trump wants the same plaques and portraits and busts as LBJ, we can help make that a reality,” Talarico added, suggesting that Trump could achieve historic productivity with Democratic cooperation.
His call for collaboration is not isolated. Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed (D-Mich.) took to social media on Thursday, posting mock-ups of “Trump Care” health insurance cards and urging the president to support universal health care. “Donald, this is on the table. Guarantee healthcare for every American, from cradle to grave,” El-Sayed wrote.
Talarico told the Denver audience that Democrats on Capitol Hill should aim to make Trump's final two years “the most productive of any presidency” in history. He framed the moment as transcending partisan divisions. “It's so much bigger than a party. We are tired of being pitted against each other. We're tired of being told to hate each other. It's been 10 years of this kind of politics,” he said.
The push for bipartisanship comes as some Republicans have shown resistance to certain Trump priorities, including a massive defense spending package. Meanwhile, Democrats have also launched inquiries into Trump administration decisions on technology exports, signaling that cooperation will not come without scrutiny.
Still, Talarico's remarks reflect a growing sentiment among some incoming Democrats that engaging with the president could yield tangible benefits for constituents. Whether such overtures translate into legislative achievements remains to be seen, but the freshman senator is clearly betting that voters will reward results over resistance.
