As the 116 th Congress gets underway, a pair of legislative proposals are being announced – including one by Oregon’s Senator, Jeff Merkley - that Democrats say are key to restoring American democracy.
House Democrats say HR 1 is their primary agenda item. Advocates of the bill say it aims to eliminate gerrymandering, ensure transparency for political donations, and ensure fair elections…among other things.
Senator Jeff Merkley is also unveiling a similar package this session, which he says tackles big corporate interests within politics.
“So I’m laying out the way we can restore the vision of our Constitution and produce government for and by the people," Merkley tells KLCC. "Right now if you look at the bills that’ve been passed, largely what we’re seeing is, government by and for the privileged and the powerful.”
Merkley concedes that Senate Republicans aren’t likely to act on his legislation, nor is President Trump expected to sign off on it. But the Democratic packages – deemed the “We the People” platform – are expected to serve as blueprints throughout the session and into the next campaign season.
And while Democrats have officially taken control of the House of Representatives as of today, the partial government shutdown seems no nearer a resolution than it was last month.
Merkley says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell isn’t putting the House Democrat’s measure to end the shutdown onto the Senate Floor, as it lacks President Trump’s approval.
"This Trump and Republican shutdown is absolutely horrific for 800,000 American workers, many of which are being forced to work without pay. It’s all due to a temper tantrum from the President.”
The stalemate is over funding levels for security along the U.S. – Mexican border. Trump wants $5 billion to create a wall, while Democrats are proposing roughly a quarter of that amount.
Copyright 2019, KLCC.
Copyright 2019 KLCC
