Bipartisanship in America
Despite partisan gridlock taking hold in Congress in the past decade, U.S. history is full of examples of Congress working across party lines to pass important legislation. Below are a couple of examples of America’s most prominent examples of bipartisanship in recent history:
Food Stamp Program Reform Act (1977)
Through the joint efforts of Senators George McGovern, Jacob Javits, Hubert Humphrey, James Jeffords, and Bob Dole, and Congressmen Foley and Richmond the FSP Reform was able to break down barriers of participation in the Food Stamp Program, including eliminating the purchase requirement and eliminating categorical eligibility.
CHIP (1997)
CHIP was passed due to the joint efforts of then first-lady, Hillary Clinton, Senator Kennedy (D), and Senator Hatch [R). “The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health coverage to eligible children, through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. CHIP is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government.” - Medicaid.gov
Recent Bipartisan Efforts
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Heritage Foundation worked together on criminal justice reform/forfeiture laws.
Members of Congress, Governors, Mayors, and other state legislators of various political parties have worked together by taking the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) Congressional Hunger Challenge to see what it’s like to live off of SNAP benefits.
In 2012, many companies and organizations from around the world participated in Internet Blackout Day.
Freedom for All Americans is an effort to bring Republicans on board with the Equality Act. They work with many organizations including Conservatives Against Discrimination.
Stop Female Genital Mutilation Act, an FGM ban, passed unanimously in the Senate in 2020, signed into law by President Trump.
Further Reading
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