Dems lose appetite for deal with Trump on infrastructure

Major elements of President Trump’s infrastructure initiative are facing staunch opposition from Democrats, increasing the likelihood that Republicans will have to go it alone.

Making a deal with Democrats on Trump’s rebuilding plan was always going to be a challenge for the administration.

But Trump’s sinking approval ratings, his polarizing tweets and his administration’s move to block oversight requests from the minority party have further eroded Democrats’ appetite to work with the president on one of his chief campaign promises.

“The president doesn’t make it any easier on himself,” said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. “He’s going to have a hard time getting Democratic votes.” The White House formally launched its $1 trillion infrastructure push this week with a string of events aimed at ramping up support.

Infrastructure legislation has long been billed as one of the few things that could receive broad bipartisan support this Congress, with Trump at one point calling Democrats “desperate” for such an initiative.

But Trump kicked off his infrastructure campaign Monday by announcing a proposal to separate air traffic control from the federal government — one of the most controversial infrastructure ideas floated by the administration so far, and one that was quickly rejected by Democrats.

http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/336461-dems-lose-appetite-for-deal-with-trump-on-infrastructure