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DPCC Chairs: Americans Deserve Action on 275+ Bipartisan Bills Awaiting Action in the Senate

December 17, 2019

House and Senate DPCC Wrap-Up a Year in Leader McConnell’s Legislative Graveyard

WATCH

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chairman David Cicilline (RI-01), and Co-Chairs Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33) today highlighted more than 300 bills that have passed the House and await action in the Senate. 9 out of 10 bills that are stuck in the Senate – more than 275 – are bipartisan.

Bipartisan legislation that is stalled in the Senate includes bills to protect people with pre-existing conditions and enact gun safety background checks.

"The American people expect the Senate to do its job and take action to make their lives better. The House of Representatives is doing that every day. There is no excuse for Leader McConnell blocking Senate action on hundreds of bills that would, among other things, protect women and children, strengthen pensions, protect our elections and lower the costs of prescription drugs for our families," said Senator Stabenow. "It's time for Leader McConnell to allow the Senate to take action on policies overwhelmingly supported by Americans across the country.

"In less than a year, House Democrats have passed nearly 400 pieces of legislation that get government working For The People by driving down health care costs, raising wages, and cleaning up corruption in Washington," said Congressman Cicilline. "Sadly, more than 275 bipartisan bills passed by the House are currently sitting on Mitch McConnell's desk waiting for a vote. He'd rather tout himself as the grim reaper than vote on these bills that will help his constituents and the American people. Senator McConnell should do his job or his constituents will pick someone who will."

"House Democrats have been working For The People all year, passing hundreds of bills to make health care more affordable, boost hard-working Americans' wages, help ease veterans' transition to civilian life, and more," said Congressman Cartwright. "Sadly, over 275 of these are being held hostage by Leader McConnell in the Senate, even though they have passed the House with both Democratic and Republican support. These bills stand to deliver real results for all Americans. It's time for Senate Republicans to stop playing politics and start legislating."

"The House of Representatives continues to work on issues that the people in our districts want us to take action on," said Congresswoman Dingell. "We've passed over 275 bipartisan bills that address lower prescription drug prices and healthcare costs, raise wages for hard-working men and women, support survivors of domestic violence, and common-sense policies to prevent gun violence and save lives. It's time for the Senate to act."

"Democrats have been hard at work, and have passed over 275 bipartisan bills since the start of this Congress that are stuck in the Senate," said Congressman Lieu. "Standing in the way of progress is the Republican-led Senate, which hasn't taken up any of these bills including ones that would lower drug costs, safeguard our elections, support veterans and strengthen gun safety background checks. These issues have overwhelming support from a diverse array of Americans. But, somehow, Mitch McConnell seems to think he answers to someone else, unlike Democrats who are working for the people."

Examples of bipartisan bills stalled in the Senate include:

  • H.R.5, Equality Act
  • H.R.6, The American Dream and Promise Act
  • H.R.7, Paycheck Fairness Act
  • H.R.8, Bipartisan Background Checks Act
  • H.R.9, Climate Action Now Act
  • H.R.987, Protecting People With Pre-Existing Conditions/Lowering Drug Costs
  • H.R.582, Raise The Wage Act
  • H.R.397, Rehabilitation For Multiemployer Pensions Act (The Butch Lewis Act)
  • H.R.1585, Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
  • H.R.1644, Save The Internet Act
  • H.R 2722, Securing America's Federal Elections (SAFE) Act
  • H.R.2513, The Corporate Transparency Act
  • H.R.1112, Enhanced Background Checks