Khanna Rejects Moderate Senate Plan

Rep. Ro Khanna of California challenged a moderate strategy proposed by Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii on Friday. The disagreement centers on how Democratic lawmakers should govern if their party retakes the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in the November 3 midterm elections. Schatz, who would become the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate under that scenario, urged caution during an appearance on CNN’s “The Arena” with Kasie Hunt on Thursday. He warned against proposing legislation that President Donald Trump is guaranteed to veto. Schatz called such moves a waste of energy and suggested that bold policy changes require winning the presidency and both chambers in 2028. He argued that a midterm victory should serve as an institutional check to end the war and reverse cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Khanna pushed back on this approach, arguing that forcing vetoes on popular policies would benefit Democrats. On social media late Friday, the progressive lawmaker listed several policies that should be sent to the president for a veto. These included Medicare for All, blocking aid and bombs to Israel, and taxing billionaires. He specifically advised his colleagues to make Trump veto Medicare for All.

Other progressive voices joined Khanna in criticizing Schatz’s recommendation. Lindsay Owens, the CEO of Groundwork, called the strategy worrisome on Saturday. She wrote that a Trump veto on bills to make healthcare cheaper would be a good political outcome for Democrats and increase the likelihood of a victory in 2028. Writer Katelyn Burns agreed, stating that Democrats should pass a popular agenda and let the other party stand in the way of what the people want. She questioned why Democrats would pre-veto their own priorities.

The Debt Collective, an organization focused on debt and economic inequality, criticized the moderate stance. They wrote that the ideology explains why some Democrats seemingly do not support popular measures. They noted that making the president veto popular things is a clear strategic move that is often misunderstood. David Dayen, the executive editor of The Prospect, responded with sarcasm to the cautionary advice. He suggested that Democrats could simply confirm Trump’s judges for two years and let Republicans run the committees if they wanted to be sensible. Austin Ahlman, a reporter and political analyst for the Open Market Institute, also mocked the strategy. He joked that Democrats would not want anyone to mistake them for the opposition.

The debate highlights a split within the Democratic Party over legislative priorities. Schatz wants to focus on immediate administrative checks and specific reversals of policy. Khanna and his allies prefer a more aggressive legislative agenda that puts the president in the position of opposing popular ideas. This discussion took place as the party prepares for the upcoming midterms in Bucks County and across the nation.