Democrats in Congress hope to exploit divided Republicans as president-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
"We must hold him to his words [of promising to close] tax loopholes that only help the rich [and] unrig the system," Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., told Politico. "The problem in getting infrastructure is not the Democratic caucus."
Democrats are counting on Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to lead them once Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., retires.
"We will be the only bulwark against Trumpism," added Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, saying Schumer is "the leader we need right now to be the only check on Trump."
Democrats hope Trump and the GOP leadership will clash over tax policy, infrastructure spending, and social issues, areas where Trump often strays from the party line. Despite their victory, Trump and congressional Republicans will have to compromise with Democrats to get their legislation passed.
"I believe that the majority leader was trying to dampen expectations somewhat because the legislative process is still like making sausage, and we still have to go through the deliberative process, which is neither easy nor quick even when one party is in control of the White House and the legislative branch," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told The Christian Science Monitor.
"There are areas where [Trump] is much more of a Democrat," a senior Democratic aide told Politico. "He could cut deals and leave [Republicans] in the dust."
"I think Donald Trump would be very receptive to what [moderate Democrats] have to say," Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia added.
"What we're not going to do is what Mitch McConnell stands for, which is obstructing things because of who proposed it," said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., to Politico. However, "if Trump puts plans forward that aren't about working Americans, if it's tax cuts for billionaires, we'll certainly fight that."
"He won the White House and that is part of the deal. He's going to restore the balance," Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who opposed Trump during the election, told Politico. "When you look at the number of Democrats that are up, I think we'll get cooperation."
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