Podcast Summary: "Congressman Tom Suozzi on Bipartisanship in the Trump Era" Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
Vox Media Podcast Network
Release Date: January 31, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Raging Moderates, co-host Jessica Tarlov engages in a compelling conversation with Congressman Tom Suozzi, representing New York's 3rd congressional district. Suozzi is recognized for his adeptness at navigating the bipartisan landscape, a skill increasingly rare in today's polarized political climate. The discussion delves into Suozzi's perspectives on bipartisanship during the Trump administration, his stance on immigration reform, and the Democratic Party's evolving relationship with the working class.

Differences in Trump's Administration

Timestamp: 02:28 - 04:36

Suozzi begins by contrasting the current Trump administration with Trump's initial term. He observes that Trump has grown more experienced and has surrounded himself with staunchly pro-Trump allies, reducing the presence of independent voices within his inner circle.

Tom Suozzi (02:40): "He surrounded himself with people that... weren't necessarily his team, per se. And now he's got a lot more people around him that are just totally pro Trump... that's a little scary in a way."

Suozzi emphasizes Trump's adeptness at creating distractions to divert attention from more pressing issues, a tactic he finds concerning.

Tom Suozzi (03:53): "He's a master of distraction to get you all... he's really doing 10 other things off to the side. And something's very serious."

Focus on Key Policy Areas: Border Security and Immigration

Timestamp: 04:36 - 13:40

Addressing the complexities of engaging with a president who employs diversionary tactics, Suozzi underscores the importance of focusing on achievable policy areas where bipartisan agreement is possible. He highlights border security and the deportation of criminals as priority issues.

Tom Suozzi (06:30): "We have to pick and choose what we can work on. And then some things... you have to pick the one or two things that you want to focus on."

Suozzi discusses the troubling implications of Trump's blanket pardons, particularly those involving violent assaults against law enforcement officers, which he finds contradictory to pro-law enforcement stances.

Tom Suozzi (07:15): "...how can you say, like, I'm pro law enforcement... How can you pardon a guy like that?"

The Lake and Riley Act and Immigration Legislation

Timestamp: 10:42 - 17:11

The conversation shifts to the Lake and Riley Act, an immigration bill Suozzi strongly supports despite its imperfections. He believes the act addresses the critical need to deport criminals and secure the border, aligning with public demand for action on immigration.

Tom Suozzi (10:42): "We have to accept the fact that Americans want us to do something about this and we have to move forward."

Suozzi advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, including securing the border, overhauling the asylum system, and providing status to Dreamers and TPS recipients. He criticizes the current asylum processes and proposes establishing foreign and remote application centers to streamline and secure asylum claims.

Tom Suozzi (13:40): "We need to fix the broken asylum system... We have to stop incentivizing these organized criminals who are making billions off this system."

Democrats' Disconnect with the Working Class and Coalition Building

Timestamp: 19:59 - 27:21

Addressing the Democratic Party's struggles to connect with the working class, Suozzi points out that the party has shifted its focus toward more affluent and liberal demographics, losing touch with its traditional base.

Tom Suozzi (21:02): "The biggest problem the Democrats face is that we've lost the working class... Until we start talking about that as our main issues... we're going to keep on losing the working class."

He traces the decline of the middle class to policy shifts from the 1980s that prioritized shareholder profits over employee welfare, leading to economic disparities and social issues in formerly robust communities.

Tom Suozzi (23:26): "And that's what happened in America is we got rid of a lot of these factory towns... Their kids are doing methamphetamine or fentanyl or getting dying from overdoses."

Suozzi calls for a renewed focus on rebuilding the middle class through measures like increasing the minimum wage, supporting unions, and enhancing workers' rights.

Media Strategy for Democrats

Timestamp: 27:21 - 29:35

Suozzi highlights the fragmented nature of the modern media landscape as a significant challenge for Democrats in reaching diverse voter bases. He emphasizes the need for strategic engagement across various media platforms, including traditional media, social media, podcasts, and ethnic media, to effectively communicate the party's message.

Tom Suozzi (28:10): "First you got to figure out who's paying attention in your district and beyond your district to sell the message."

He acknowledges the complexity of today's media environment and the necessity for the Democratic Party to adapt by investing time and resources into multiple channels to resonate with different audiences.

Bipartisan Efforts and the Problem Solvers Caucus

Timestamp: 29:35 - 31:26

Concluding the discussion, Suozzi talks about his role as the Democratic co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, an initiative aimed at fostering bipartisan collaboration. He shares his experiences working with Republican counterparts, such as Brian Fitzpatrick, to identify common ground and advance legislative priorities.

Tom Suozzi (30:57): "We have to constantly work at building relationships... We can find common ground."

Suozzi expresses optimism about the potential to secure meaningful immigration reforms through bipartisan efforts, citing collaboration with Republicans like Morgan Luttrell as foundational to achieving these goals.

Tom Suozzi (29:52): "I'm working with a conservative Republican from Texas named Morgan Luttrell... We're building a coalition of others."

Conclusion

Congressman Tom Suozzi's insights into bipartisanship during the Trump era shed light on the complexities of modern American politics. His emphasis on focused policy areas, rebuilding the Democratic coalition with the working class, and leveraging a multifaceted media strategy underscores a pragmatic approach to governance and political strategy. Suozzi's commitment to bipartisan collaboration, as evidenced by his role in the Problem Solvers Caucus, offers a hopeful perspective on bridging ideological divides to address pressing national issues.

For more in-depth analysis and discussions, listeners are encouraged to tune into the episode and read Suozzi's op-ed in the New York Times dated January 1st.