Politics

US Sen. Johnny Isakson Of Ga. On Immigration Battle, Listening To Others

WABE

June 22nd, 2018

“I legislate as if I was in the minority, not the majority,” U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson said. “I always have that kind of attitude because if you’re in the minority you can’t take things for granted things you can if you’re in the majority.”

David Goldman / Associated Press file

Georgia Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson has had to work across the aisle many times in his career.

Back in the 1980s, he was the leader of a small GOP minority in the Georgia House. These days, he has tried to find consensus with Democrats and fellow Republicans as chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

That means a lot of listening.

“Morning Edition” host Denis O’Hayer spoke with Isakson about why listening is more important than ever in a political environment filled with heated rhetoric and social media posts.

Their conversation also touched on the renewed effort in Congress to write an immigration bill after President Donald Trump reversed his policy that separated children from parents who cross the Mexican border illegally.

Note: The conversation with Isakson followed another one about listening –this one, with DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, who ran unsuccessfully against Isakson in the 2010 race for U.S. Senate.