Media Must Cover Democrats’ Win as a Mandate to Deliver

Democrats just won the House and Senate after campaigning on lower costs, taking on corporate power, and ending corruption. Of 59 Democrats who won competitive races, 97 percent called for new limits on data centers, nearly 80 percent backed Medicare for All, a public option, or a Medicare buy-in, and more than half pledged to take on monopolies. Data for Progress found majorities in Maine, Michigan, and Texas support higher taxes on millionaires, a $15 minimum wage, and Medicare for All.

Too much coverage already frames the question as how little Democrats can get away with, citing warnings not to pass bills Trump will veto. That treats a mandate as a risk. It also ignores that a vetoed bill still forces Republicans to vote on the record against popular policy. The same victory is a mandate to investigate an administration voters just repudiated, and the White House is already warning Democrats that investigating Trump could be criminal.

We call on the media to cover this win as a mandate to hold Trump accountable and pass ambitious bills. Report on what Democrats promised and what they deliver, and name every Republican who blocks popular legislation. The public deserves coverage that measures Democrats against the promises voters elected them on.