Landsman: The majority in Congress is actually bipartisan | Opinion
When you hear "the majority in Congress," you’re probably thinking about the party that holds the most seats. You’d be right, of course. But there’s a much bigger majority, and that’s the bipartisan majority of us who voted to protect the economy from a catastrophic default, passed air travel improvements, and provided significant tax relief to millions of working families and small businesses.
For us to do more, we just need the House Speaker to bring us the bills, starting with:
bipartisan border fix
bipartisan budget bills
bipartisan national security bill.
There are 300 or more of us
We have proven with several key votes that there are 300 or more of us, Democrats and Republicans, who are fully committed to governing. We’re the ones who want to pass bills and bring solutions to the American people, and that’s what we do when we get the chance.
Bipartisan Budget Agreement
Again, our bipartisan majority had a major win when we passed the Bipartisan Budget Agreement from a catastrophic default. Default would have rocked U.S. markets and caused irreversible damage to our nation’s position at the center of the global economy.
Bipartisan air travel improvements
Additionally, our majority has successfully passed the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. This bill would reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and prioritize job creation, safety, and consumer protection.
Bipartisan tax relief
Our bipartisan majority just recently approved the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, a crucial measure aimed at providing support to small businesses and working families, all while yielding savings of over $70 billion for American taxpayers. This legislation includes provisions such as the Child Tax Credit, which is expected to lift millions of children out of poverty, benefiting an estimated 35,000 children in Ohio’s first district.
Bipartisan border attempts
We would have passed the bipartisan border fix that never made it to the floor because House Speaker Mike Johnson sided with former president Donald Trump, not us. That border bill would have provided more judges to process claims, heighten asylum requirements, and cut the number of people crossing the border. Our office took action by introducing a bill emphasizing the importance of fully funding border security personnel, immigration judges, and necessary technological advancements.
Bipartisan budget, national security bills
Now, we’re nearing a government funding deadline for the budget that should have passed in October of last year. The bipartisan majority has bailed Congress out three times by voting for a Continuing Resolution to avoid a shutdown that impacts the paychecks of thousands and would jeopardize vital services relied upon by the American people.
Wrapped within budget discussions are crucial talks concerning our allies and the ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Once again, the bipartisan majority is ready. We will pass a comprehensive bill allocating funds to support Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, as well as providing aid for Palestinians in Gaza.
Bipartisanship wins
In addition to the broader congressional initiatives, our office has achieved notable bipartisan success by getting two bills unanimously passed out of committee. One of these bills will save seniors millions on health care costs, while the other aims to enhance support for childcare small businesses.
In this time of heightened partisanship, people are forced to see division. However, the success stories in this Congress are the bipartisan successes when folks who care about passing solutions, whether big or small, get it done.
U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, a Democrat, represents Ohio's 1st Congressional House District and is a former Cincinnati councilman.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Landsman: The majority in Congress is actually bipartisan
