Hillary Clinton lining up policy priorities

Hillary Clinton’s advisers are crafting a domestic policy agenda for the opening months of a potential presidency that is centered on three issues with some level of Republican support: an infrastructure package that emphasizes job creation, criminal justice reform, and immigration legislation with the promise of quick executive action if a bill fails in Congress.

Ms Clinton’s campaign aides and transition team have been emphasizing the trio of priorities in conversations with lawmakers and advocacy groups, according to several people involved in those discussions. While Ms Clinton has spoken frequently about each subject in campaign appearances, her advisers’ discussions provide new insight into how the Democrat might approach her first months in the White House, should she defeat Donald Trump on November 8.

People with knowledge of Ms Clinton’s planning insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the private conversations publicly. Ms Clinton campaign officials would not comment on the emerging agenda, saying she is focused squarely on defeating Mr Trump and helping Democrats take control of the Senate, which would improve her chances of securing passage of her policy priorities. “Anyone who thinks that our candidate or the campaign is focused on the transition is mistaken,” said Jennifer Palmieri, Ms Clinton’s communications director. “Hillary Clinton is superstitious.” If she wins, immigration is expected be among the most complex policy issue.

Some Republican leaders, desperate to boost their party’s appeal with Hispanics, have backed legislation, but the party’s right wing keeps resisting, and may be more emboldened by the popularity of Mr Trump’s hardline immigration policies with some GOP voters.

Ms Clinton’s team has actively looked for ways to avoid the traps that have sunk President Barack Obama’s bid for an immigration overhaul in the US in 2013.