Democrats want control of Congress, but what will they actually do with it? 

The possibility that Democrats will control the next Congress keeps improving, as the Republican majority capitulates to President Trump’s erratic and corrupt behavior. However, Democrats should be more transparent about what they would do with their power. 

So far, they seem to have followed Napoleon’s dictum, “Never interrupt an enemy when he’s making a mistake.” It hasn’t won them much respect. More than 40 percent of voters are unhappy with both political parties. If Democrats intend to save democracy and civilized society, they will need control of the Senate as well as the House. They should make a stronger case than “We’re not Trump.”  

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the centrist New Democrat Coalition and the Congressional Progressive Caucus have developed policy agendas, but there apparently is no unified plan. Why not let actual legislation do the talking? 

Democrats could introduce specific bills and resolutions over the next four months, teeing them up for fast action in January. The legislative package could show precisely how a Democratic Congress would prevent Trump’s excesses, fix what he has broken, close the loopholes he has used to abuse power, and begin the long process of restoring the American people’s faith in democracy and the world’s confidence in America.   

Here are some suggestions. 

Impeachments: Trump’s high crimes could fill a law library, but the next House could pass a manageable impeachment resolution consisting of two charges: Trump’s use of the presidency for personal and family enrichment, including his sale of presidential pardons; and his violation of the War Powers........

© The Hill