Marty Kress Urges 2026 Bipartisan Coalitions to Break Post-Midterm Stalemate
Updated
Updated · The Columbus Dispatch · May 22
Marty Kress Urges 2026 Bipartisan Coalitions to Break Post-Midterm Stalemate
1 articles · Updated · The Columbus Dispatch · May 22
Marty Kress argues a Democratic win in the 2026 midterms would still leave Washington deadlocked until 2028 because President Donald Trump could veto any reconciliation bill that cuts against his agenda.
A slim majority, he says, would lack the 60 Senate votes needed for most legislation, leaving Democrats with the same limited 51-vote reconciliation tool Republicans have used for recent budget and funding measures.
Kress proposes building 1 or 2 bipartisan coalitions before the election and making them part of the midterm debate, shifting the campaign from a referendum on Trump to a push for cross-party governing.
He points to immigration, health care, voting rules, infrastructure, AI investment and limits on impounding congressionally approved funds as possible coalition targets, with business, labor, faith groups and local officials helping supply political cover.
By 2027, he argues, those coalitions could deliver workable legislation and eventually even support a centrist 2028 presidential bid outside normal party leadership.
Beyond good intentions, what reforms can make bipartisan governance a sustainable reality?
Could historical models of cross-party cooperation provide a roadmap for today's political challenges?
If the public agrees on major issues, what stops leaders from turning that consensus into law?
Breaking the Gridlock: The Role of Bipartisan "Exit Coalitions" and Discharge Petitions in the 2026-2028 U.S. Congress
Overview
Following the 2026 midterm elections, the United States Congress is expected to face severe legislative gridlock due to slim Republican majorities in the House and the strong influence of former President Donald Trump, who has issued explicit veto threats on key legislation. This environment is likely to hamper legislative progress and raise concerns about a 'Do-Nothing Congress' lasting until 2028. Trump and his allies are pressuring Republican Senators to use aggressive tactics, such as the 'talking filibuster,' to bypass Democratic opposition, highlighting deep partisan divides and making bipartisan cooperation both challenging and urgently needed.