WASHINGTON — As the busy 2024 legislative sessions wind down in state legislatures across the country, Democrats have been hard at work advancing legislation that protects fundamental freedoms and improves Americans’ lives. Democrats’ progressive agenda stands in stark contrast to Republicans’ extremism and proves the power of commonsense leaders in state legislatures. From protecting reproductive freedoms to expanding voting rights to fighting against book bans, Democrats in state legislatures are on the frontlines of the issues that matter most – there has never been a more important year to build Democratic power in the states.
Here’s a look at some of the most impactful legislation state Democrats have pursued this year:
- In Maine, the Democratic legislature passed a bill to protect health care workers who provide abortion and gender-affirming care from legal action brought in other states, shielding medical providers from out-of-state investigations.
- Democrats in the Colorado legislature passed a Bill of Rights for Foster Youth, which requires that foster parents follow an LGBTQ+ child’s preferred name, pronouns, and gender expression.
- A bill in Maryland put the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment up for a vote this year in a ballot measure to enshrine reproductive rights into the state constitution, safeguarding access to abortion care for generations to come. The measure would also protect patients and providers from criminal and civil penalties relating to abortion bans or restrictions in other states.
- In Minnesota, the Democratic legislature passed a bill that protects school library books from censorship. This censorship ban comes as a direct response to a growing trend of Republican legislators trying to control and undermine classroom learning on topics like gender, race, sexuality, and gender identity.
- Virginia Democrats, in control of both the Virginia House and Senate, passed a historic ban on assault weapons, passed a bill creating a right to access and use birth control, and voted to increase the state’s minimum wage. Each of these initiatives was vetoed by the Republican governor.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee National Press Secretary Sam Paisley issued the following statement:
“Democrats in state legislatures across the country have spent 2024 committed to safeguarding fundamental freedoms and improving the wellbeing of their communities. From defending reproductive freedom and promoting learning in schools, to protecting residents from gun violence and strengthening democracy, Democrats are proving the true impact they have in state legislatures. Democratic leadership in state legislatures is the most important line of defense against GOP attacks on fundamental freedoms, which continue to intensify and multiply. The 2024 legislative elections are the most important opportunity for voters to make their voices heard at the most impactful level of the ballot. The stakes have never been higher, and the DLCC isn’t leaving anything to chance as we work to elect champions of fundamental freedoms across the country.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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