Bipartisan Breakthrough: House Republicans Join Democrats on Key Legislation

Strategic Insights -

House Republicans, once steadfastly opposed to Democratic-backed legislation, have begun to show a willingness to work with Democrats on key issues, leading to a series of bipartisan votes in recent weeks. The shift in strategy has been evident on measures aimed at regulating credit card companies, increasing federal resources to pursue financial fraud, and cracking down on predatory housing lenders. Scores of House Republicans have joined Democrats in supporting these measures, with many saying they are making choices based on policy rather than party pressure.

Key Takeaways:

  • In recent days, 105 of the 178 House Republicans backed the credit card bill, and 117 supported the financial fraud bill, showing a marked shift in party unity on these issues.
  • The mortgage legislation drew 60 Republican votes, despite opposition from the top three Republican leaders and the senior Republican on the banking committee.
  • Representative Mike Simpson, an Idaho Republican, backed all three measures, saying, "It is hard to say we shouldn't put in more stringent standards on mortgage lending, given what has happened in the past."
  • The Republican willingness to join with Democrats on some legislation has come gradually but suggests that the notion of bipartisanship is not the mirage some have declared it to be.
  • If the trend continues, it could become problematic for the Republican leadership, especially if it is interpreted as a lack of confidence in the party's opposition stance.
  • Thirty-eight House Republicans voted for a broad public lands bill that set aside millions of acres, 70 supported a national service bill, and 70 supported new Food and Drug Administration curbs on tobacco.
  • Representative Dan Lungren, a California Republican, said that Republicans who have found themselves splitting from their leaders say they are making choices based on policy and that they have come under no pressure to stick with the party.

Statistics:

  • 105 of 178 House Republicans (59.0%) backed the credit card bill.
  • 117 of 178 House Republicans (65.7%) supported the financial fraud bill.
  • 60 of 178 House Republicans (33.7%) voted for the mortgage legislation.
  • 70 of 178 House Republicans (39.3%) supported a national service bill.
  • 70 of 178 House Republicans (39.3%) supported new Food and Drug Administration curbs on tobacco.
  • 38 of 178 House Republicans (21.3%) voted for a broad public lands bill that set aside millions of acres.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, January 2009
  • The New York Times, January 2009 (credit card bill vote)
  • The New York Times, January 2009 (financial fraud bill vote)
  • The New York Times, January 2009 (mortgage legislation vote)
  • The New York Times, January 2009 (public lands bill vote)
  • The New York Times, January 2009 (national service bill vote)
  • The New York Times, January 2009 (Food and Drug Administration curbs on tobacco vote)