Several bills that have been passed by the House of Representatives under Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) have led to internal divisions among Democrats, further weakening the party’s standing in the aftermath of the 2022 midterm elections.
As The Hill reports, one of the most recent votes was a resolution overturning a Department of Labor policy that forced retirement managers to take ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) factors into consideration when deciding which companies to invest in. After passing in the Republican-controlled House, the bill also passed through the Senate after two Democrats, Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), voted with all Republicans in favor.
Another bill that was passed by the House would overrule a law passed by the local government of Washington D.C. that lowers criminal penalties for violent crimes, such as robberies, carjackings, and burglaries. The measure will go to the Senate on Wednesday, with Joe Biden privately telling Senate Democrats that he will sign it into law if it reaches his desk.
The D.C. crime bill in particular could impact the re-election bid of one vulnerable incumbent, Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who said that he is undecided on the bill because of its “complicated” nature. Kaine was subsequently criticized for his indecisiveness by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) PAC, the Senate Leadership Fund. Kaine may be challenged for his seat next year by incumbent Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-Va.), whose candidacy would move the seat into toss-up status if he were to announce.
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) praised McCarthy’s efforts, saying that “the House has got off to a great start.”
“They’re doing their job, they’re helping us. It’s calling people out,” Tuberville continued. “The [environmental, social, corporate governance bill] last week, this week the crime bill here in D.C. It’s obviously good votes for us.”