The 117th Congress, which convened in January 2021 and adjourned in January 2023, was marked by significant legislative activity despite the challenges of a divided government and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding how many bills were passed during this period involves examining the total number of bills introduced, the types of bills that gained traction, and the legislative processes they underwent. This article explores the legislative achievements of the 117th Congress, analyzes key bills passed, and highlights the broader impact of these laws on the nation.
1. Overview of the Legislative Process in the 117th Congress
Before delving into the specific number of bills passed, it is essential to understand the context of the legislative process during the 117th Congress. The process of passing a bill involves several stages, from introduction to committee review, debate, amendments, and votes in both chambers of Congress. The passage of a bill requires the approval of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, followed by the President’s signature. This process can be lengthy and complex, particularly in a divided government where partisan differences often complicate legislative action.
Introduction of Bills
At the start of each Congress, hundreds of bills are introduced by members of both the House and the Senate. These bills can cover a wide range of topics, from healthcare and education to defense and infrastructure. In the 117th Congress, a large number of bills were introduced, but not all of them progressed through the legislative process.
The volume of bills introduced in the 117th Congress reflects the diversity of issues facing the country. Some bills sought to address immediate challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, while others focused on long-term policy goals, such as climate change or healthcare reform.
Committee Review and Markup
After a bill is introduced, it is referred to the appropriate committee for further review. The committee plays a critical role in shaping the bill’s final form. Committees hold hearings, gather expert testimony, and may amend the bill before sending it to the full House or Senate. During the 117th Congress, committee work was especially crucial in shaping the response to the pandemic and in advancing key pieces of President Joe Biden’s legislative agenda, including the American Rescue Plan and infrastructure legislation.
2. Key Achievements of the 117th Congress
While the 117th Congress passed a significant number of bills, it is important to highlight the most impactful and high-profile pieces of legislation. These laws shaped the direction of national policy and had a significant impact on American citizens.
The American Rescue Plan Act
One of the most significant pieces of legislation passed by the 117th Congress was the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). This $1.9 trillion relief package aimed to provide economic relief to individuals, businesses, and healthcare providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill included direct stimulus payments to Americans, extended unemployment benefits, and funding for vaccine distribution. It was a major priority for the Biden administration and passed along party lines, with no Republican votes in the Senate.
The American Rescue Plan was one of the largest economic relief packages in U.S. history and helped bolster the economy during the height of the pandemic. Its passage marked a major legislative victory for the Biden administration in the early months of his presidency.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Another landmark piece of legislation passed during the 117th Congress was the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. This bill, which passed in November 2021, allocated $1.2 trillion in funding for infrastructure projects across the United States. It aimed to improve roads, bridges, public transportation, broadband access, and the electric grid. The IIJA was the product of months of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats and marked a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation in an otherwise polarized Congress.
The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was seen as a significant step toward addressing the nation’s aging infrastructure and investing in long-term economic growth.
3. The Total Number of Bills Passed by the 117th Congress
To determine how many bills the 117th Congress passed, it is important to distinguish between the total number of bills introduced and the number that successfully became law. While hundreds of bills are introduced each year, only a fraction of them make it through the entire legislative process and are signed into law by the President.
Bills Introduced in the 117th Congress
Throughout the two-year period of the 117th Congress, over 13,000 bills were introduced in both the House and Senate. This number includes a wide range of bills, from
minor technical amendments to major pieces of legislation. The large number of bills reflects the diverse and ever-changing priorities of lawmakers and their constituents.
While many of these bills were introduced with the hope of addressing urgent issues or advancing specific policy goals, the vast majority did not make it through the legislative process. Bills can fail for various reasons, including lack of support in committee, partisan disagreements, or the inability to secure enough votes in either the House or Senate.
Bills Passed by the 117th Congress
Of the thousands of bills introduced in the 117th Congress, only nearly 350 bills were successfully passed and signed into law. While this number may seem relatively small in comparison to the number of bills introduced, it is important to note that the legislative process is highly complex and only a fraction of bills ever reach the President’s desk.
The bills that passed during the 117th Congress spanned a wide range of issues, including healthcare, defense, social security, climate change, and criminal justice reform. Some of these bills were significant, such as the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the National Defense Authorization Act, while others addressed more specialized issues, such as funding for specific programs or technical amendments to existing laws.
4. The Role of Bipartisanship in the 117th Congress
One of the defining features of the 117th Congress was the level of partisanship that often characterized legislative negotiations. While there were notable instances of bipartisan cooperation, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, many of the major pieces of legislation passed during this Congress were highly partisan, particularly in the wake of a deeply divided political climate.
Partisan Legislation
The passage of the American Rescue Plan, for example, was a highly partisan affair, with no Republican support in the Senate. This was a reflection of the broader political divide between Democrats and Republicans, particularly regarding the government’s role in addressing the economic impact of the pandemic. Similarly, efforts to pass voting rights reform and other progressive measures were often blocked or weakened by Republican opposition.
Bipartisan Achievements
Despite the challenges, the 117th Congress did manage to pass some significant bipartisan bills. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was perhaps the most significant example, with widespread Republican support in the Senate. This bill’s passage showed that, despite the partisan gridlock, there was still potential for compromise on certain issues that were seen as crucial for the country’s future.
5. The Impact of the 117th Congress’s Legislative Output
The legislative output of the 117th Congress was not only notable for the number of bills passed but also for the impact those bills had on the nation. The American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act were particularly influential, addressing both immediate and long-term needs of the country.
Economic Impact
The American Rescue Plan’s $1.9 trillion in relief provided immediate assistance to millions of Americans and helped stimulate the economy during the pandemic’s most severe phases. It also played a significant role in the country’s recovery, with the expanded child tax credit and unemployment benefits offering financial relief to households struggling due to the pandemic.
Long-Term Investments
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act promised long-term investments in critical infrastructure projects that are expected to benefit the economy for years to come. The bill focused on modernizing transportation systems, increasing broadband access, and addressing climate change-related infrastructure needs, all of which are vital for maintaining the United States’ global competitiveness.
6. Challenges Faced by the 117th Congress
The 117th Congress faced several challenges that made passing legislation more difficult. These challenges included:
The COVID-19 Pandemic: The ongoing pandemic required urgent attention, leading to significant spending and relief efforts, but it also consumed much of the legislative agenda.
Partisan Divides: The political polarization between Democrats and Republicans often resulted in gridlock, particularly on issues like voting rights, healthcare reform, and immigration.
Filibuster and Senate Rules: The filibuster in the Senate, requiring a 60-vote majority to overcome procedural hurdles, often stymied the passage of key pieces of legislation.
Conclusion
In total, the 117th Congress passed nearly 350 bills into law, including major pieces of legislation such as the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Despite the challenges of a divided government and the ongoing pandemic, Congress succeeded in addressing both immediate and long-term issues. While the partisan gridlock often hampered progress, the passage of key laws demonstrated that compromise and cooperation were still possible in a highly polarized environment. The 117th Congress’s legislative output reflects both the challenges and successes of modern American governance.
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