Peter King Calls on Schumer and Trump to Broker Peace
Says Trump’s legislative goals need Democrat participation
New York Republican Rep. Peter King says President Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer should broker a political peace.
King’s comments come after the failure by Republicans to replace the 2010 health care law signed by former President Barack Obama. No Democrat supported the legislation.
King told Newsday that it will be impossible to accomplish the rest of Trump’s legislative agenda without Democrats.
“It’s really time to reach out. Both the president and the speaker have to realize this,” he said.
King is one of a few people who could serve as an intermediary between Trump and Schumer, Newsday reported — he acted as a campaign surrogate for Trump and has worked with Schumer on issues like homeland security funding for New York.
King downplayed his relationships with the president and the senator, but said both Democrats and Republicans shouldn’t be “held hostage” by the extreme ends of their parties.
“I’m not arrogant enough to say I want to broker something, but I certainly want to get my voice in there,” King said.
Schumer and Trump have a complicated political past. Trump contributed to Schumer’s first Senate run and to races as recent as 2009. Trump also hosted a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee at Mar-a-Lago in 2008 at Schumer’s request.