Democrats Reenter Trump's Administration Hearing Homegrown Pressure for Action

Democratic Lawmakers Prepare for Midterms, Focusing on Local Issues and Resistance

As Congressional Democrats return to Washington following a lengthy summer recess, they are gearing up for the upcoming midterm elections with a renewed focus on local issues and resistance against Trump and his congressional GOP allies.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., is working with other Democratic senators to support candidates in battleground states and districts. The Democratic Senators she is supporting include Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire, and Roy Cooper in North Carolina. Hassan and Shaheen are incumbents in New Hampshire, while Cooper is a former governor running for the open Senate seat in North Carolina in 2026.

Representative Dina Titus, D-Nev., advised fellow swing-district and swing-state Democrats to focus on local issues in their districts. She noted the encouraging turnout at town halls across the country as a good sign for the midterm elections.

The impact of tariffs on the rising cost of living, rising medical costs, and access to health care were among the issues that most concerned constituents over the recess. Representative Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., heard from her constituency that health care is the universal issue of concern.

Representative Jim Mrvan, D-Ind., plans to focus on speaking to his constituents about how Trump's tariff agenda affects them. Mrvan was re-elected in 2024 by more than 8 points, but his district is a potential target for Republican-led mid-decade redistricting.

Cortez Masto dismissed the idea that Democrats aren't well-positioned to make gains in the House and Senate next year. She emphasized the need for Democrats to focus on common sense issues like lowering prices and helping working families.

Bynum emphasized the importance of numbers in the midterms for putting speed bumps in Trump's way. She pointed to the dozens of town halls that House and Senate Democrats organized across the country during their recess as one way for members of her party to keep fighting and showing up for their constituents.

Democratic lawmakers are in the minority in both the Senate and the House, and out of the White House. Despite this, they are not giving up hope for the midterms. Mrvan highlighted the potential power Democrats could gain in negotiations with the administration if they win the midterms.

NBC News reported earlier this year that the lowest positive rating for the Democratic Party in 35 years was found in their poll. However, Bynum remains optimistic, noting that hosting in-person town halls and tele-town halls has been effective in making constituents feel they're not alone in their concerns.

Constituents urged Democratic lawmakers throughout the summer recess to keep resisting Trump and his congressional GOP allies. Titus mentioned that they are doing amicus briefs, rallies, introducing legislation, and discharge petitions, but they don't have the numbers.

As the midterm elections approach, it remains to be seen whether the Democratic Party can regain control of Congress and the White House. However, one thing is certain: Democratic lawmakers are determined to fight for their constituents and resist Trump and his GOP allies at every turn.