10 Bills Dems Are Fighting For
By Samuel J. Crystal
Democrats are overcoming Republican obstruction by passing historic legislation in the House, but Senate Republicans are blocking these bills from moving forward. From continuing to lower gas prices to protecting marriage equality and reproductive rights, Democrats are fighting for the issues Americans care about most. But Republicans are taking advantage of slim congressional majorities to stop Democrats from getting these bills to President Biden’s desk.
These 10 bills show what is at stake in November and what we will achieve if Democrats win.
1. Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act to stop gas companies from continuing their unconscionably excessive price raises on Americans. The bill passed in the House 217–207 and not a single Republican voted for it.
2. Respect For Marriage Act to codify under federal law the right to marriage for same-sex couples and interracial couples. The bill passed in the House 267–157 and 78% of House Republicans voted against it.
3. Right to Contraception Act to protect a person’s ability to access contraception and engage in contraception. The bill passed in the House 228–195 with all 195 votes against the right to contraception coming from Republicans.
4. Ensuring Access to Abortion Act to protect the right to travel across state lines to receive abortion services. The bill passed in the House 223–205 with full Democratic support and nearly unanimous opposition from Republicans.
5. Women’s Health Protection Act to codify the right to abortion under federal law. The bill passed in the House 219–210 with zero Republican support.
6. Protecting Our Kids Act to ban the sale of assault weapons to individuals under 21, set safe storage requirements, restrict the sale of bump stocks that increase the fire rate of semi-automatic weapons, prohibit large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and more. The bill passed in the House 223–204 over nearly unanimous Republican opposition.
7. Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act to establish new offices in the Department of Homeland Security and new requirements regarding data collection to expand the availability of information on domestic terrorism. The bill passed in the House 222–203. Only one Republican supported it.
8. Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act to provide $28 million to address the shortage of infant formula in the U.S. The bill passed the House 231–192 with full Democratic support and nearly unanimous Republican opposition.
9. Affordable Insulin Now Act to cap the cost for a month’s supply of insulin at $35 dollars or 25% of a plan’s negotiated price. It passed the House 232–193 and 193 Republicans voted against it.
10. CHIPS-Plus Act to boost U.S. semiconductor production amid a nationwide chip shortage. Only 17 Senate Republicans voted to advance this important bill, which Democrats will ensure passes in the House.
Getting these bills and many more to President Biden’s desk requires expanding Democrats’ congressional majorities this November.
Samuel J. Crystal is the Communications Director and Spokesperson of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), which is a national organization that endorses Democratic candidates for elected office and advocates for progressive policy.
