What Have House Democrats Accomplished in the 116th Congress?
ME has spent most of his retirement from service to the United States studying, thinking, and writing about the country he served.
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Walking and Chewing Gum
When our founders created the three co-equal branches of government, the idea was 1) to have each branch act as a check on the others and 2) in Congress, to have the Senate take a more thoughtful stance to the House's feisty approach to governance. The Congress was to legislate, the Executive was to carry out the legislation, and the Judicial was to rule on any conflicts that may develop from the legislation or its execution within the framework of the Constitution.
Today, that vision is in complete disarray due to a dictatorial Executive and extreme partisanship, which our founders hoped to avoid. While the writers of the Constitution understood that partisanship could develop, they tried hard to prevent the election of the kind of demagogue that Donald Trump is. Had the rules and processes they originally put in place to prevent such a disaster remained in force over time, Trump would not be president. But things changed, either by custom or by amendment, and the barriers were lowered—with terrible results.
As I just pointed out, the purpose of Congress is to legislate. Another purpose is to provide oversight of the Executive. That is supposed to be happening today. But at least a 1/3 to 1/2 of Americans think Congress can't do both at the same time. This article is to set the record straight, at least as it pertains to the House (it seems the Senate is doing neither).
Where does it all stand now?
- The President has obstructed the House investigations into his conduct.
- Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has obstructed almost all legislation coming over from the House.
- The Republicans, save for one, have closed their eyes and minds to facts about Donald Trump, probably out of political fear, and doing their level best to protect him from self-destructing.
The claim is the House Democrats can't "walk and chew gum at the same time." The truth is—yes they can, and they have been. They had actively been trying to conduct oversight of an amoral President while at the same time been quietly passing multiple bills to try to keep the government running and improve the lot of Americans.
What Have House Democrats Tried to Accomplish, Besides Bring Trump to Justice?
The Republicans claim that Democrats can't chew gum and walk at the same time, meaning they can't investigate Trump and legislate at the same time. Nothing could be further from the truth. Consider that while Nixon was being investigated, even impeached, he and the Democrats and Republicans continued to produce legislation and pass laws. The same was true when Clinton was impeached—and tried.
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So what have the House Democrats done? Besides running about 12 investigations, they have passed over 235 pieces of legislation since January 2019. Not all of them are major, but many are. Most have been bottled up by the Republicans in the Senate—meaning Mitch McConnell.
The following set of tables offer many of the important bills passed by the House. We won't cover all 235 (as of 5/25/2019) bills but I will present the significant ones. We will start with bills aimed at funding the government, i.e., keeping the doors open.
Appropriations Bills
| Legislation | Name | What is it About | Where It Stands |
|---|---|---|---|
H.R. 21 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 | Provides funding for all federal Departments, Agencies, and associated ent | HOUSE: 1/3/19 - Passed the House: SENATE: 1/8/19 - Read a second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. |
H.R. 264 | Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2019 | Provides funding for all federal Departments, Agencies, and associated entities, e.g., DOJ, DHS, EPA, etc. | HOUSE: 1/8/19 - Passed the House: SENATE: - Read a second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. |
H.J. Res 31 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 | Provides funds for DHS for a period of time | Law |
H.R. 648 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 | Provides funding for all federal Departments, Agencies, and associated ent | Passed the House: In Senate - Senate - Read a second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. |
H.R. 777 | Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019 | This bill reauthorizes grants that support state and local efforts to process DNA evidence in rape kits. | Became Law - 12/30/2019 |
H.R. 1875 | Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 | This bill provides FY2020 appropriations for several federal departments and agencies. It includes 8 of the 12 regular FY2020 appropriations bills: the Departments of Labor, HHS, Education, Agriculture, Energy, Interior,. Veterans Affairs, State, Transportation, HUD | Became Law - 12/20/2019 |
H.R. 2157 | Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 | This bill provides $17.2 billion in FY2019 supplemental appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for expenses related to the consequences of recent wildfires, hurricanes, volcanos, earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. | Passed the House and Senate (in a slightly different form). Currently held up in the House by a GOP Freedom Caucus member until after the Memorial Recess |
H.R. 2940 | To extend the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families and related programs through September 30, 2019. | This bill extends appropriations through September 30, 2019, for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program grants to states and related assistance grants to U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. | HOUSE: 6/3/2019 - Passed; SENATE: 6/28/19 - Passed |
H.R. 3401 | Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019 | This bill provides $4.5 billion in FY2019 emergency supplemental appropriations to federal departments and agencies for humanitarian assistance and security to respond to migrants attempting to enter the United States at the southern border. | HOUSE; 6/28/2019 - Passed Senate Version after a short stand-off. Law |
H.R. 3879 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 | The bill increases the FY2020 and FY2021 discretionary spending limits for defense and nondefense spending. The bill suspends the public debt limit through July 31, 2021. On August 1, 2021, the limit will be increased to accommodate obligations issued during the suspension period. | HOUSE: 7/25/2019 Passed; SENATE 7/31/2019 Passed |
H.R. 4378 | Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019 | It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur when FY2020 begins on October 1, 2019, if the 12 regular appropriations bills that fund the federal government for FY2020 have not been enacted. | Became Law: 9/27/2019 |
The next table lists individual bills designed to effect different aspects of our lives like the right to vote to protecting our military.
| Legislation | Name | What is it About | Where it Stands |
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H.R. 1 | For The People Act of 2019 | Voter access, election integrity, election security, political spending, and ethics for the three branches of gov't | Passed the House: Senate - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. |
H.R. 5 | Equality Act | This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas including public accommodations and facilities, education, federal funding, employment, housing, credit, and the jury system. Specifically, the bill defines and includes sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among the prohibited categories of discrimination or segregation. It also expands the definition of public accommodations | HOUSE - 5/17/19: Passed the House; SENATE - 05/20/2019 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. |
H.R. 9 | Climate Action Now Act | Requires the President to develop and update annually a plan for the United States to meet its nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement on climate change. Specifically, the plan must describe steps to (1) cut greenhouse gas emissions by 26%-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, and (2) confirm that other parties to the agreement with major economies are fulfilling their announced contributions. In addition, the bill prohibits federal funds from being used to withdraw from the agreement. | HOUSE: 5/2/2019 - Passed; SENATE; 05/07/2019 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 79. |
H.R. 30 (Resolution) | Requiring each Member, officer, and employee of the House of Representatives to complete a program of training in workplace rights and responsibilities each session of each Congress, and for other purposes. | Requiring everybody in the House to go though sexual harassment training | Resolution accepted by the House |
H.R. 31 | Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 | Directs the Sec of Treasury to determine if the Bank of Syria should be designated as a money laundering entity | HOUSE: 1/23/19 - Passed; SENATE: 5/22/2019 - Read twice. Referred to Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably |
H.R 489 (Resolution) | Condemning President Trump's racist comments directed at Members of Congress. |
| HOUSE: 7/16/19 - Passed |
H.R. 582 | Raise the Wage Act | This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage for regular employees over a 7-year period, for tipped employees, and for newly hired employees who are less than 20 years old. | HOUSE: 7/18/2019 - Passed; SENATE;7/18/201 - Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. |
H.R. 724 | Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act or the PACT Act | This bill revises and expands criminal provisions with respect to animal crushing. | Became Law 11/26/2019 |
H.R. 748 | Middle Class Health Insurance Tax Repeal Act | This bill repeals the excise tax on employer-sponsored health care coverage for which there is an excess benefit (high-cost plans). | HOUSE: 7/17/19 - Passed; SENATE - 07/18/2019 Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. |
H.R. 753 | Global Electoral Exchange Act of 2019 | To promote international exchanges on best election practices, cultivate more secure democratic institutions around the world | HOUSE - 5/21/19; Passed the House; SENATE - 05/21/2019 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations |
H.R. 843 | Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act of 2019 | This bill requires the Department of Transportation to issue a request for nominations with respect to roads to be designated under the national scenic byways program and make publicly available a list specifying the roads designated. | Became Law: 9/22/2019 |
H.R. 866 | Fairness For Breastfeeding Mothers Act of 2019 | Requires that certain public buildings that are open to the public and contain a public restroom provide a lactation room, other than a bathroom, that is hygienic and is available for use by members of the public to express milk. | 07/15/2019 Presented to President. |
H.R. 986 | Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act of 2019 | This bill nullifies the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Health and Human Services guidance titled "State Relief and Empowerment Waivers," published on October 24, 2018. The guidance pertains to Section 1332 waivers (also known as State Innovation Waivers or State Relief and Empowerment Waivers), which allow states to forego certain requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in order to implement experimental plans for health care coverage, as long as the resulting coverage meets certain statutory criteria. | HOUSE: 5/9/2019 - Passed the House; SENATE - 05/15/2019 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 90. |
H.R. 987 | Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act | Requires the HHS to conduct outreach and educational activities regarding federally-facilitated exchanges | .HOUSE - 5/16/19; Passed the House; SENATE - 05/20/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. |
H.R. 1058 | Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019 or the Autism CARES Act of 2019 | Reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises several programs and activities relating to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among other things, the bill reauthorizes provisions relating to (1) expanded ASD research at the National Institutes of Health; (2) ASD education, early detection, and intervention activities supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration; and (3) the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. | Became Law - 9/30/2019 |
H.R. 1500 | Consumers First Act | Revises provisions related to the administration of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | Passed House; Senate - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs |
H.R. 1994 | Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 | This bill benefits retirees by modifying the requirements for employer-provided retirement plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and other tax-favored savings accounts. | Passed the House but not yet sent to the Senate as the House clerk corrects section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment's |
H.R. 2116 | Global Fragility Act | To enhance stabilization of conflict-affected areas and prevent violence and fragility globally, and for other purposes. | House - 5/21/19; Passed the House; Senate - 05/21/2019 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. |
H.R. 2379 | To Reauthorize the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program | What the bill says | Became Law |
H.R. 2339 | Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 | This bill revises requirements related to the safety, sale, and advertisement of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, and vape pens). | HOUSE - Passed: 2/28/2020 |
H.R. 2480 | Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act | To reauthorize the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act | HOUSE - 5/21/19; Passed the House; SENATE - 05/21/2019 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions |
H.R. 2578 | National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2019 | To reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program, | HOUSE - 5/14/19; Passed the House; SENATE - 05/20/2019 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 93. |
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H.R. 1079 | Creating Advanced Streamlined Electronic Services for Constituents Act of 2019 | To require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance on electronic consent forms | HOUSE: 2/11/2019 - Passed the House: SENATE -- 05/15/2019 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment |
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H.R. 1594 | First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act | This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to implement a uniform process for reviewing grant applications under the Urban Area Security Initiative or the Homeland Security Grant Program | HOUSE: 5/14/2019 - Passed; SENATE - 05/15/2019 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs |
H.R. 1222 | Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act | This bill allows a state to use federal funds to cover a higher percentage of the costs for the construction and expansion of public target ranges. Specifically, a state may use specified federal grant funds to pay up to 90% of such costs (rather than 75%, as under current law). | Law |
H.R. 1328 | Access Broadband Act | The Assistant Secretary shall establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. | HOUSE: 5/8/2019 - Passed; SENATE - 05/9/2019 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation |
H.R. 3252 | Department of State Authorization Act of 2019 | Intended to restaff the State Dept to appropriate levels and return to its initial mission. | HOUSE: 7/25/2019 - Passed; SENATE - 09/09/2019 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. |
H.R. 3253 | Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act of 2019 | Makes appropriations through FY 2024 and revises, the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demo Program; allows state Medicaid fraud control units to review complaints regarding patients who are in noninstitutional settings; temporarily extends the Medicaid eligibility criteria that protect against spousal impoverishment; temporarily extends the Medicaid demo program for community behavioral health clinics; and increases funding available to the Medicaid Improvement Fund beginning in FY2021. | HOUSE: 6/18/2019 - Passed; SENATE - 7/25/2019; In Reconcilliation |
Bills for Veterans
The Democrats have Veteran's welfare high on their to-do list. Consequently, I created a separate table for those initiatives.
| Legislation | Name | What Does It Do | Where Does It Stand |
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H.R. 1200 | Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2019 | To increase the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities | Passed the House; Senate - 05/22/2019 Received in the Senate |
H.R. 2359 | Whole Veteran Act | To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the Department of Veterans Affairs advancing of whole health transformation.. (They want to make sure Congress' orders are followed) | Passed the House; Senate - 05/22/2019 Received in Senate. |
H.R. 2326 | Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William Bill Mulder (Ret.) Transition Improvement Act of 2019 | Directs various Departments and amends law in order to take certain actions to improve transition assistance to members of the Armed Forces who separate, retire, or are discharged from the Armed Forces | Passed by House 5/21/2019; Rcv'd in Senate 5/22/2019 |
H.R. 2045 | To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. | To establish in the VA the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, | Passed by House 5/21/2019; Rcv'd in Senate 5/22/2019 |
H.R. 2333 | Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act | Directs the Comptroller to assess of the responsibilities, workload, training, and vacancy rates of VA's suicide prevention coordinators. | Passed by House 5/21/2019; Rcv'd in Senate 5/22/2019 |
H.R. 299 | Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 | Clarifies that if a veteran claims exposure to harmful agents while serving in Vietnam War, it must be proven that the claim is not valid to deny coverage | HOUSE: 5/14/2019 - Passed; SENATE: 5/15/2019 - Received in Senate |
This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.
© 2019 Scott Belford
