News

Congressional Progressive Caucus Celebrates House Passage of Inflation Reduction Act

August 12, 2022

WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement upon House passage of the Inflation Reduction Act:

“Today, Democrats are keeping our promises to the American people and advancing key progressive priorities. After more than a year of negotiations and even longer campaigning on these issues, the Democratic majority in Congress has [unanimously] sent a sweeping bill to tackle climate action, tax fairness, and lower drug costs to the President’s desk. Like their Senate colleagues, not a single House Republican voted for this legislation, despite its popularity with the majority of Americans across the political spectrum.

“I’m incredibly proud of the role our Progressive Caucus played in getting us here. From the very beginning, progressives have fought tooth and nail to advance the full scope of the President’s economic agenda. We would not be passing this bill today had the CPC not insisted we move that agenda from a promise to legislative text that passed the House. Together with movements, activists, and volunteers from across the country, we insisted this Democratic majority deliver. In its major provisions, the Inflation Reduction Act draws on the House-passed Build Back Better Act. Essentially, it also achieves our shared goals in a progressive way: lowering costs of necessities, creating good jobs, and attacking climate change, while raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations. 

“The Inflation Reduction Act contains a hugely important set of investments to lower prescription drug costs, extend health coverage for millions, act on climate change while creating millions of jobs, and finally start to ensure the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes. This bill will put the United States on a path to reduce our carbon pollution by 40 percent by 2030, investing in renewable energy technologies that will drive down energy costs and accelerate our transition away from fossil fuels. It will cap seniors’ annual drug costs and their cost of insulin, and institute a 15 percent minimum tax on large corporations. 

“We will remain vigilant as we begin the process of implementing this bill to ensure the funding is delivered in an equitable way — particularly when it comes to investing in frontline communities and advancing environmental justice. We also look forward to ensuring that upcoming discussions around permitting reform protect communities and further the underlying goals of this bill. Progressives will not stop fighting for the pieces left on the cutting room floor: Medicare expansion, home care, Pre-K, universal child care, housing, workers’ rights, immigration justice, and for affordable insulin for all, after Republicans outrageously stripped it from the bill. With our continued commitment, engaged movements across the country, and two more Democrats in the Senate, we can ensure the full agenda the American people voted for in 2020 is enacted into law.”

Congressional Progressive Caucus Applauds Senate Passage of Inflation Reduction Act

August 7, 2022

WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement upon Senate passage of the Inflation Reduction Act:

“After more than a year of negotiations, we are thrilled the Senate has finally passed a reconciliation bill with every Democrat voting in support. The Inflation Reduction Act includes many pieces of the House-passed Build Back Better Act to make the largest-ever federal investment in tackling the existential threat of climate change, lower healthcare costs, and begin to ensure that corporations pay their fair share.  

“The Congressional Progressive Caucus was essential to ensuring that the President’s economic agenda was drafted and passed in the House. While we are heartbroken to see several essential pieces on the care economy, housing, and immigration left on the cutting room floor — as well as a successful Republican effort to remove insulin price caps for those with private insurance — we know that the Inflation Reduction Act takes real steps forward on key progressive priorities.

“The bill will cut carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030 through rapidly accelerating the adoption of renewable-energy technologies such as electric vehicles, heat pumps, and solar panels, saving the average family $1,025 a year in energy costs and creating millions of good jobs. It will immediately extend affordable health insurance coverage to 13 million people, cap seniors’ yearly drug costs at $2,000 per year, and cap insulin at $35 per month for seniors on Medicare. It takes on Big Pharma by, for the first time ever, allowing Medicare to begin negotiating prices for a small group of drugs that expands over time. The bill also imposes a 15 percent minimum tax on corporations, taxes corporations that inflate their share values through stock buybacks, and invests in the IRS to go after large corporations that evade taxes. As President Biden has promised, the bill won’t raise taxes on any family making less than $400,000 per year. 

“Let us be clear: we do not support the bill’s new provisions that expand fossil fuel leasing. However, independent analyses show that their limited impact will be far outweighed by the carbon emissions cuts this legislation accomplishes. 

“Progressives in Congress and in the movement held the line and demanded action on these priorities, ensuring that we got to where we are today.  Together with President Biden, progressives across the country and in Congress should take credit for the enormous progress made in this bill toward our movements’ long standing work: pushing the federal government to act on the climate crisis, taking on the greed of Big Pharma, lowering health care costs, and reining in the power of the wealthy and large corporations — passed in the Senate without a single Republican vote. We look forward to voting for this bill as it comes to the House and sending it to the President’s desk immediately.”

Progressive and Tri-Caucus Chairs Urge Congressional Leadership to Lower Insulin Prices for the Uninsured

August 3, 2022

WASHINGTON — More than 75 members of Congress joined the Congressional Progressive, Black, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific American Caucuses to call on congressional leadership to include people without health insurance in any legislation that limits out-of-pocket costs for insulin. 

In their letter to Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, House Minority Leader McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader McConnell, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Judy Chu (CA-27) were joined by 73 colleagues to urge that a proposed $35 cap on a monthly supply of insulin be extended to those without health insurance. They write, “failure to do so will deepen health disparities and increase long-term healthcare costs.”

The lawmakers emphasize that, with the price of insulin having risen more than 1,000 percent since 1999, affordability is a crisis for the 37.3 million Americans who have diabetes — but it is especially dire for those without coverage. Two million people with diabetes don’t have insurance, and more than one in four of those who need insulin have experienced a lapse in insurance coverage for at least 30 days in the past three years. Uninsured people with diabetes often pay over $1,000 per month for their insulin, and are roughly twice as likely to report that they cannot afford their diabetes medications compared to those who have insurance. 

As the lawmakers write, the consequences are quite literally life and death:  “Whether without insurance for an extended period of time or for 30 days due to life events such as job transitions or marriage, uninsured people with diabetes often pay over $1,000 per month for their insulin…Sadly, there are many tragic accounts of uninsured people with diabetes who could not afford their insulin and died as a result of insulin rationing.” 

Excluding uninsured people from a cap on out-of-pocket costs would also worsen racial disparities in our healthcare system. Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans have both higher rates of diabetes than white Americans, and are less likely to have health insurance. As the letter notes, “A 2021 study in the Lancet demonstrated that within the diabetes community, 2.2 percent of white people were uninsured compared to 6.4 percent of Black people, 32.6 percent of Hispanic people, and 15.3 percent of Native American and Alaskan Native people.” Extending the co-pay gap would also have significant savings for the healthcare system long term, since “patients with gaps in their health insurance in the past three years were five times more likely to end up in an emergency room or hospital while uninsured than while they were insured.”

The lawmakers make clear that a universal cap on insulin costs could be accomplished either by using existing Medicaid payment structures to reimburse pharmacies or by establishing a fund in HHS that reimburses insurance providers and pharmacies. They conclude, “inclusion of uninsured people in insulin pricing legislation will help prevent new racial health disparities resulting from this legislation, curb future deaths of Americans due to insulin rationing, and decrease the likelihood of diabetes complications.”

The letter can be found online here.

The signatories to this letter include: Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), Judy Chu (CA-27), Nannette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Alma S. Adams, Ph.D (NC-12), Colin Allred (TX-32), Karen Bass (CA-37), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA-08), Sandford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D (NY-16), Anthony G. Brown (MD) (MD-04), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Cori Bush (MO-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Peter A. DeFazio (OR-04), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Al Green (TX-9), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) (TX-30), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Kai Kahele (HI-02), William R. Keating (MA-09), Barbara Lee (CA) (), Andy Levin (MI) (MI-09), Ted W. Lieu (CA-33), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Carolyn B. Maloney (Carolyn) (NY-12), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32), Marie Newman (IL-03), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-at large), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Katie Porter (CA-45), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Michael F. Q. San Nicolas (GU-01), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Adam Smith (WA-09), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Mark Takano (CA-41), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Ritchie Torres (NY) (NY-15), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Peter Welch (VT-at large), Susan Wild (PA-07), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

Congressional Progressive Caucus Leadership Celebrates House Passage of Assault Weapons Ban

July 29, 2022

WASHINGTON — Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and David Cicilline (RI-01), vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statements after the House of Representatives passed the CPC-endorsed Assault Weapons Ban. This marked the first time since 1994 that a federal ban on assault weapons has passed the House. 

“Assault weapons are weapons of war. Their only purpose is to destroy. We have seen more than enough mass shootings — from Uvalde and Buffalo, to Tulsa, Las Vegas, and Sandy Hook — to know that they do not belong on our streets,” said Rep. Jayapal. “Today’s passage of Congressman Cicilline’s Assault Weapons Ban shows the continued commitment from House Democrats to saving lives from needless gun violence and protecting people’s right to exist safely and peacefully in our country. I thank Congressman Cicilline for his tremendous leadership on this bill and in the fight against gun violence. Now, the Senate must heed President Biden’s call to get this vital legislation to his desk, and take up this bill without delay.”

“There are more guns than people in this country — more mass shootings than days in the year. This is a uniquely American problem. In 2022 alone, more than 160 people have been killed by an assault weapon and more than 245 have been injured. This bill will not stop all gun violence, but it will effectively decrease it,” said Rep. Cicilline. “Researchers estimate that if we still had a federal assault weapons ban, we would see 70 percent fewer mass shooting deaths. And while nothing we can do can bring back 70 percent of these victims to their family and friends, we can honor their memories with action and prevent more carnage moving forward. I urge the Senate to pass this bill immediately and send it to the President for his signature.”

The last federal assault weapons ban expired in 2004. Since then, an assault weapon was used in eight out of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in America. 

The Assault Weapons Ban passed today would prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of semi-automatic assault weapons and high capacity magazines.

Congressional Progressive Caucus Statement on House Vote for Assault Weapons Ban

July 29, 2022

WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement upon the announcement that the House of Representatives would hold a standalone vote on the Assault Weapons Ban:

“We applaud Speaker Pelosi and House Leadership for advancing the Assault Weapons Ban for a standalone vote today. This is a lifesaving bill, crucial to keeping our communities safe and preventing the next Uvalde, Pulse, Sandy Hook, Parkland, and too many other mass shootings in which assault weapons were used to devastate families across this country. This Progressive Caucus-endorsed bill, passed out of the Judiciary Committee, has the support of the majority of Americans and more than 200 cosponsors.

“We are also pleased that this bill, which reflects the consensus of the Democratic Caucus, will move expeditiously while a separate legislative package on public safety continues to be developed and revised. The Progressive Caucus will continue to work with our colleagues to help advance policies that unite all Democrats and provide our communities with the evidence-based tools, strategies, and resources they need — particularly essential legislation from CPC Deputy Chair Katie Porter (CA-45) and CPC member Steven Horsford (NV-04). As that process continues, the Assault Weapons Ban must pass without delay. We urge our House colleagues to join us in swiftly passing this legislation today so we can send it to the Senate and save lives. We urgently need to get these weapons of war off our streets."

Congressional Progressive Caucus On Passage of CHIPS and Science Act

July 28, 2022

WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement after a meeting the House of Representatives passed the CHIPS and Science Act: 

“Today, Progressives voted to pass the CHIPS and Science Act thanks to Secretary Raimondo’s partnership and transparency with our caucus throughout the legislative process. Over the past week, I engaged in deep and frequent negotiations and conversations with the Secretary to work to address our members’ concerns that this bill would expand domestic manufacturing capacity — and not be utilized as a subsidy for companies to engage in stock buybacks and dividend payouts to enrich wealthy shareholders and executives. As the Secretary made clear this week, ‘This CHIPS money is not a subsidy for companies to make them more profitable or so they have more cash for stock buybacks or to pad their bottom line or to invest in other countries.’

“In addition to the funding for semiconductors, which power everything from innovative technology to our phones and household appliances, this bill will also double the funding for the National Science Foundation, an investment that will make a tremendous difference for universities and research institutions across the country. I would like to thank the Secretary for her principled engagement with me to resolve our members' concerns, and to ensure the strongest implementation of this bill. With Secretary Raimondo’s commitment and continued partnership, we look forward to working together throughout the implementation process.”

Congressional Progressive Caucus Urges Caution After Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates

July 27, 2022

WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, responded to an announcement from the Federal Reserve that interest rates would be raised 0.75 percent:

“With the Federal Reserve’s pace of monetary tightening now the fastest in decades, I have serious concerns that President Biden’s promise to ‘grow the economy from the bottom up and the middle out’ is now at risk. We are all concerned about the impact of inflation and rising costs, but today’s decision to raise interest rates will do nothing to address their primary causes. Chairman Powell himself has rightly pointed out that these are in fact related to the pandemic, supply-chain disruptions, and the war in Ukraine — that supply constraints, not excess demand, are responsible for persistent inflation.

“By hiking interest rates to deliberately slow the economy, the Fed could cause hardship to millions of Americans by unnecessarily increasing joblessness, while failing to significantly reduce the price of essential goods and services. These rate hikes also threaten to deter companies from making the investments needed to expand the economy’s productive capacity. At a time when the Biden administration has been working to reach full employment — creating nearly 9 million jobs and decreasing unemployment to among its lowest levels in 50 years — raising interest rates risks reversing that trend, and could force employers to lay off employees who just got back to work, or slow hiring altogether. Just as the burden of high costs is not borne equally, so is the impact of interest rate hikes. Full employment allows for much-needed income gains, particularly within the bottom spectrum of wage earners — and during high unemployment, disadvantaged, lower-paid, and Black and Latino workers are disproportionately harmed. 

“As Congressional Democrats work to lower drug prices and health care premiums for Americans, I urge the Federal Reserve to exercise the utmost caution going forward and resist the urge to further raise interest rates. With wage growth declining in recent months, our country’s lowest-paid, most vulnerable workers have endured too much already to be sacrificed in pursuit of severe rate hikes that have far too often triggered recessions.”

Congressional Progressive Caucus Leadership Call for Senate to Pass Antitrust Reform

July 22, 2022

WASHINGTON — Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Executive Board called on Majority Leader Schumer to bring two antitrust bills, S. 2992 the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, and S. 2710 the Open App Markets Act, to a vote before August recess.

The two bipartisan bills take on abusive and anti-competitive practices by dominant online platforms that harm small businesses, consumers, and innovation. The bills would prohibit dominant online platforms from arbitrarily discriminating against competitors, rein in self-promotion of platforms’ own products over those of competitors, and ensure that consumers have access to competitive, fair app ecosystems.

The letter cites polling that found “that 76%-to-80% of voters in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and New Hampshire support” the Senate bills. “71% of voters in those states want their Senator to vote for this legislation. Polling of Republican primary voters…found that 73% of respondents believe Big Tech companies are not regulated enough…and between 81% and 85% support S. 2992 and S. 2710.”

The Senate bills are companions to House antitrust measures, which emerged as a result of a 16-month, bipartisan investigation by the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law. The investigation found clear regulatory gaps and a need for congressional intervention. As the lawmakers write: “A handful of dominant online platforms have become gatekeepers over digital markets, controlling other businesses’ access to customers and the tools that those businesses use to serve their customers…[T]hese platforms routinely abuse their gatekeeper power to hurt rivals and destroy competition.”

While the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights has similarly looked into these issues and “held numerous hearings in recent years on abuses by online gatekeepers,” the legislative solutions continue to languish in the Senate. The antitrust bills also represent a chance to advance an agenda supported by the Biden administration, with both the Departments of Justice and Commerce in support — critical at a time much of the President’s legislative priorities have been blocked.

“Regardless of ideology or party affiliation,” the lawmakers write, “Americans are concerned with the dominance and power of the largest technology companies, and they want Congress to act.” They emphasize “that each of these bills should be enacted as they address persistent and problematic conduct that harms consumers, competition, and innovation,” and urge Leader Schumer to schedule them for a vote before the Senate ends its legislative session in August.

Signatories of the letter are all members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Executive Board: Chair Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Deputy Chair Katie Porter (CA-45), and Whip Ilhan Omar (MN-05); Chairs Emeriti Barbara Lee (CA-13), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03); Executive Board Member At-Large Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Vice Chairs Joe Neguse (CO-02), Marie Newman (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), David Cicilline (RI-01), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12); and Deputy Whips Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Andy Levin (MI-09), and Mark Takano (CA-41).

Congressional Progressive Caucus Applauds House Passage of Respect for Marriage Act

July 19, 2022

WASHINGTON — Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement upon passage of H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act:

“Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus were thrilled to help pass the Respect for Marriage Act on the floor of the House today. The legislation, introduced by Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY-10) and David Cicilline (RI-01), two CPC members, enshrines the right to marry for same-sex and interracial couples in federal law, repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, and provides additional legal protections against states who would seek to invalidate these marriages or the benefits they offer. This bill responds directly to the threats posed by the justices’ opinions in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which is why the CPC included it in our post-ruling action agenda, and why we applaud House Leadership for prioritizing its passage.

“As Democrats continue to respond to the wreckage of the Dobbs decision, we look forward to addressing another item on our agenda and voting to pass the complimentary Right to Contraception Act and Protecting Access to Contraception Act, my legislation with Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05). We must also continue to press for passage of the Equality Act, because even if same-sex marriage is enshrined in law, the LGBTQ+ community — particularly transgender people — will remain under attack. 

“But let’s be clear: these rights should never have been at risk from the Supreme Court in the first place. The Senate’s refusal to end or reform the filibuster and codify essential rights has created a vacuum of leadership — and the Supreme Court has stepped into that vacuum, with this 6-3 majority all too eager to capitalize on decades of Senate inaction and act against the will of the American people. Our Senate colleagues have an obligation to send this legislation, and the many bills House Democrats pass to secure Americans’ fundamental freedoms, to the President’s desk, and protect the lives and livelihoods of families across the country. This arcane Jim Crow procedure cannot once again stand in the way of the people’s civil rights.”

Congressional Progressive Caucus Releases Agenda for Legislative and Executive Action to Protect Abortion Rights and Reproductive Freedom

July 15, 2022

WASHINGTON — Today, the Congressional Progressive Caucus released an agenda for executive and legislative action to address the crisis of abortion access, reproductive freedom, and other rights threatened by the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The call to action from the 100-member caucus comes upon House of Representatives passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation led by CPC member Representative Judy Chu (CA-27) to codify the right to abortion in federal law for the second time this Congress, and legislation to protect the right to travel for abortion care, as the impact of the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn the constitutional protection for abortion ripples across the country.

In the weeks since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ending constitutional protections for abortion, Congress and the Biden administration have taken essential steps to respond. In addition to the two bills passed in the House today, President Biden, Attorney General Garland, and Secretary Becerra have taken action on a number of fronts. The Department of Justice issued guidance that states cannot ban medication abortion in contradiction to the FDA’s expert opinion, and designated a reproductive rights task force headed by Assistant Attorney General Gupta. The Department of Health and Human Services clarified that retail pharmacies cannot refuse patients reproductive health care medications, is convening volunteer lawyers to provide legal services to patients and providers seeking or performing abortion care, and issued guidance to ensure no one experiencing pregnancy complications is turned away from lifesaving emergency medical treatment.

The CPC’s new Reproductive Freedom Action Agenda presents a roadmap for the work ahead. It calls for specific action to protect existing access to abortion and to expand it to residents of states that have already or will soon ban care: allowing doctors to prescribe medication abortion via telehealth across state lines, protecting the safety and security of abortion providers, and lifting the ban on military facilities providing abortion. The Caucus pushes for Congress to shore up rights and protections that have been threatened by the decision: codifying the right to contraception, same-sex marriage, and same-sex intimacy. It also calls for the Biden administration to declare a public health emergency on abortion access.

Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said: “The consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to end the constitutional right to abortion have been immediate and widespread: abortion clinics have been forced to close, patients made to cross state lines for care, and the health and safety of pregnant people facing miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies has been threatened. Millions across the country are facing fear and uncertainty. Access to abortion has reached crisis level — and it demands a response from Congress and the Biden administration that meets this moment.

“We were proud to help the House pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation led by progressives, for the second time today to enshrine the right to abortion in federal law, and to protect the right to travel for abortion care. We commend the President, Attorney General Garland, and Secretary Becerra for the steps they have taken thus far. Now, the Progressive Caucus is releasing an agenda for the work ahead. These concrete steps constitute a whole-of-government response to expand access to essential health care, operationalize the administration’s key regulatory and other authorities, and protect the fundamental rights threatened by the Dobbs opinions — including reforming the filibuster, the only way to ensure we enshrine abortion and other rights into law. The fight to guarantee freedom, dignity, and human rights for all will, and must, continue.”

The Progressive Caucus agenda was developed in consultation with movement partners, and includes three areas of policymaking:

Abortion Access Executive Actions:

  1. Declare a public health emergency for reproductive health care access

  2. Allow licensed health providers to practice interstate telehealth for the prescription of medication abortion

  3. Ensure readiness of providers and pharmacies to dispense medication abortion after FDA removal of restrictions is finalized

  4. Ensure no one is denied contraception or other medications that are inaccurrately portrayed as abortion-inducing

  5. Aid individuals accessing abortion care across state lines by providing funds to pay for  transportation, lodging, child care, and other costs associated with travel 

  6. Explore the use of federal property and resources to expand abortion access while ensuring the safety of patients and providers

  7. Assert the supremacy of federal law where states try to restrict ability to travel for reproductive care, access to medication abortion, and to criminalize pregnancy related complications such as miscarriage

  8. Ensure undocumented people and those assisting them can travel to access abortion care without risk of detention and deportation

  9. Protect the right to abortion care without delay of those held in federal custody — no matter the state — including by ICE, Customs and Border Protection, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and the Bureau of Prisons 

  10. Require the provision of abortion care as a condition of participation for hospitals in Medicare

Abortion Access Legislative Actions

  1. End the Hyde Amendment and bans on federal spending and insurance coverage for abortion care 

  2. Increase Funding for Title X clinics to expand access to family planning care 

  3. Protect the right to interstate travel for abortion care

  4. Protect the privacy and security of personal reproductive health data

  5. Support the safety and security needs of reproductive health care providers and support staff

  6. Lift the ban on the use of military facilities and funding for abortion care 

  7. Protect organizations and individuals who help people afford and access abortions from civil or criminal actions, including for out-of-state care.

Legislative Actions in Response to Dobbs and the Supreme Court

  1. End or reform the filibuster to ensure reproductive rights legislation becomes law

  2. Enshrine the right to contraception in federal law

  3. Enshrine the right to same-sex marriage in federal law

  4. Codify the right to privacy and same-Sex intimacy in federal law

  5. Institute key ethics reforms for the Supreme Court 

The Progressive Caucus also called for continued work to advance reproductive justice and protect health care. It named congressional action to address in the maternal health and mortality crisis and end disparities by passing the Black Maternal Health MOMNIBUS Act, secure Medicaid for postpartum parents, protect pregnant workers by passing the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act, finally deliver paid leave for all, and protect health care for transgender individuals as key to that mission.

This new slate builds on the broader slate of executive action agenda of policies designed to raise wages, lower costs, and advance equity and justice the Progressive Caucus released in March. The Biden administration has already made progress on a number of those asks, including on renewable energy production, health care, policing, environmental justice, and more.
« First < Prev Next > Last »