Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, stated that negotiations with the White House will be essential for Democrats seeking to advance their legislative goals. Boyle is set to assume the role of chair of the House Budget Committee.
In an interview with NBC News, Boyle emphasized the importance of passing legislation in the House followed by the Senate, where Democrats hold a significant majority. “Put it on his desk,” he said, referring to sending bills to former President Trump. He added, “Make it clear to the American people: we’re fighting to bring costs down. He’s the one who’s stopping us.”
Boyle noted that while making Trump look bad might not directly benefit the American public, it could initiate a negotiation process. “That can also lead to a negotiation, right? Because in the end of the day, Congress still has the power to the purse,” he explained. He highlighted the necessity of passing a budget to ensure government functionality and expressed interest in negotiating with Trump.
Addressing potential collaboration, Boyle expressed hopes that Democrats can work with the Trump administration on critical issues such as healthcare and the situation in Iran. He acknowledged the difficulty of achieving all desired outcomes, stating, “maybe we won’t be able to get all that we want, but maybe we will be able to get at least half.”
Boyle firmly stated his position against inaction driven by fear of presidential vetoes, asserting, “I don’t accept that.” He reaffirmed that the negotiation process would need to begin directly with Trump, noting, “Because we know with this White House, at the end of the day, it’s Trump who’s calling the shots.”
As he prepares to lead the Budget Committee, Boyle described the role as significant and influential. He clarified that he is not considering a Senate run in 2028, preferring to focus on the impact he can make in his current position. “I can have a much bigger impact on policy as the chairman of the Budget Committee than as a freshman member of the Senate,” he explained.
In his upcoming role, Boyle intends to prioritize three main objectives: countering Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” from the previous year with new legislation aimed at addressing healthcare cuts, abolishing Trump’s tariff policies, and restricting authority linked to ongoing military actions in Iran to help alleviate soaring gas prices.
