Kenneth Glad
Control of the House is becoming a central question as the United States moves closer to November’s midterm elections. Behind the public campaigning, contacts across party lines are also drawing attention as both sides consider what could follow the vote.
Reports from The New York Times and ABC News revealed that House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Jared Kushner held private talks in New York during the past few weeks, an unusual meeting between figures from opposite sides of the political divide.
Kushner has no formal position in President Donald Trump’s administration but continues to advise the president from outside government, particularly on foreign policy matters.
The Times said the discussion covered a broad range of issues, including housing, immigration and affordability. Jeffries and Kushner also have a history of working together, having previously cooperated on criminal-justice legislation during Trump’s first term, according to ABC.
In a statement, Jeffries criticized Republicans over the cost of living and argued that Democrats would continue pushing for major changes on affordability. He said: “The question is whether Republicans will join us.”
House battle
Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the House, while Democrats are campaigning to regain control in November. If they succeed, Jeffries would be in a strong position to become the next speaker and take control of the chamber’s agenda.
Trump’s advisers appeared to be preparing for the possibility that the White House may have to work with a Democratic-controlled House after the election, a scenario that could significantly alter the political balance in Washington.
Reuters reported on Aug. 8 that Democrats were already considering how they could use congressional powers if they win the chamber, including possible hearings, subpoenas and document requests aimed at scrutinizing the administration.
Impeachment context
U.S. analyst Torsten Jansen believes, according to TV 2, that the possibility of another impeachment effort against Trump could form part of the wider political calculation if Democrats succeed in winning control of the House.
None of the public accounts of the Jeffries-Kushner meeting has said that impeachment was raised or discussed during the private talks.
Reuters reported that Democrats were focusing first on investigations rather than moving immediately toward impeachment. The strategy could include using the House’s investigative powers before considering any more serious action, while leaving impeachment open as a possible later step if evidence were to justify it.
Trump has previously been impeached twice by the House during his political career and was acquitted by the Senate on both occasions.
Sources: The New York Times; ABC News, Reuters, TV 2
