Opposing Forces
Those of us working at the State Capitol this week felt wedged between a clash of forces.
Inside the Senate chamber, 33 Republicans forced through their Trump-aligned agenda while the 23 members of the Democratic Caucus pulled out every tool we had to fight back.
Outside the chamber, crowds of people poured into the Capitol to protest cruel bills. They stood on the Capitol steps showcasing their hand drawn signs, collectively raising their voices from time to time to let out pent-up emotions. Republicans, on their way to the House and Senate chambers, could not escape these voices as they ascended the stairs alongside the crowd, using a narrow aisle marked off for them by red tape. The message to the Republican legislators who passed by — “We are here, and what you are doing is not okay.”
This week’s trophy, however, goes to the students who showed up, many for the first time, to protest SB 120 — which seeks to end all diversity, equity & inclusion efforts in our educational institutions. High school and college students shared inspiring stories about how these supportive programs have helped them to become their best selves. To find out how their efforts paid off, read on.
Pushing Back Against Bad Bills
Democrats don’t have the votes to stop these bills, but we smartly use parliamentary maneuvers, designed to preserve the voice of the minority, to get our message out.
Minority Reports: Formal Opposition in Action
Official Minority Reports allow us to formally file our opposition to a bill after a committee vote to get dedicated time on the floor to argue our case. When I first joined the Senate, we only filed one or two of these reports a year. This week alone we filed seven! Here are just a few:
• Religious Freedom Act (SB 36): Republicans say we need this to protect religious practices. But without comprehensive civil rights protections, this bill invites discrimination against LGBTQ+ and religious minority groups. Meanwhile, Republican leaders block our civil rights bills every year.
• Transgender Therapy Ban for Minors (SB 30): This bill strips parents and doctors of their ability to make their own medical decisions.
• Criminalization of Librarians (SB 74): This bill criminalizes librarians who allow kids to check out “harmful materials.” But who decides what’s “harmful?” With groups like Moms for Liberty targeting classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, SB 74 bill puts librarians at unfair risk.
• Banning Ranked Choice Voting (SB 175): Republicans have spent four years rewriting our election laws to their advantage and it has worked well for them. Why would they want to change that? They don’t, and they want to ban any other options. Alaska implemented ranked choice voting and my colleagues there tell me this system has made elections “nicer” because instead of beating up their opponents, candidates behave better to preserve a second place win.
Fighting Back with Amendments
Whenever possible, we pushed amendments to make bad bills less harmful or advance Democratic priorities. While it’s not often that these amendments actually gain Republican votes and pass, they do use up time and force Republicans to think through the consequences of their bills:
• Banning Transgender Care for Inmates (SB 185): Democrats fought to allow inmates already receiving hormone therapy to continue treatment. With four anti-trans Senate bills this session, I took to the well to remind my colleagues that this issue should not be used as a political football because it hurts real people.
• Firearms Cause of Action (SB 163): Senator Elena Parent seized the moment to amend this bill that gives standing to firearms carriers to sue state and local governments for infringing on their rights, with her bill requiring gun owners to lock up firearms when kids are present.
Advocacy Works!
These bills now move to the House. Remember those students who shared their stories with legislators in the Committee hearing and at the ropes outside the Senate chamber? SB 120, the DEI ban, was not brought to a vote on the Senate floor, and the win is theirs! But it could resurface before Sine Die, the last day of the session, or even next year. Stay engaged—keep calling, showing up, and making your voices heard.
Pushing Good Bills Forward
It wasn’t all bad — there were lots of bills Democrats and Republicans came together on. I kept tabs of my votes on Crossover Day. Out of the 47 bills that were brought up for votes, I voted “yes” 45 times and “no” 16 (including amendments).
• Dignity in Pay Act (SB 55): Championed by our friends at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, SB 55 ends subminimum wages for workers with disabilities.
• Ridge’s Law (SB 259): The result of a heartbreaking story of a family falsely accused of child abuse after seeking medical attention for unexplained injuries on their baby son, Ridge. It took the family a long, costly legal battle and 15 months to regain custody. SB 259 give falsely accused parents better legal recourse in child abuse investigations.
Democratic Wins—Even in Republican Bills
In the current environment, it’s still possible to pass good bills by talking a Republican into carrying it for you:
• Behavioral Health Commission Expansion (SB 233): Carried by the Senate Rules Chair, SB 233 adds a subcommittee on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) to the already existing Behavioral Health Health Commission and revises the Commission membership to include experts from the IDD community. I orchestrated this compromise to elevate IDD issues going forward.
• Anti-Doxxing Protections (SB 27): Originally a Democratic bill, this bill is now moving under Republican leadership. It enhances penalties for publishing personal contact information on the Internet without permission. Several of my colleagues were doxxed at the beginning of last session.
• Outdoor Learning Pilot Program (SB 148): This bill was recommended by a Democratic Study Committee several years ago. It will promote outdoor education and recreation.
Democratic Bills That Moved
After being held hostage by Tort Reform (SB 68), Democratic bills finally started being heard in Committee on February 24, the 22nd legislative day. Eight of these bills passed the Senate on Crossover Day. Here are a few that will move to the House:
• Insurance Protection for Active Duty Military (SB 109): This bill prohibits group insurance companies from denying benefits to active service members unless killed while serving. This bill came about when an insurance company denied benefits to the family of an active National Guard member who was killed in a car accident due to a hidden clause in his policy.
• Georgia Early Childhood Literacy Act (SB 93): This bill strengthens reading instruction in Georgia by eliminating the 3-cue method that relies on visual memory and guessing to teach reading. The bill required evidence-based methods to be used instead.
• Interagency Council for the Homeless (SB 170): Brings state agencies that work with the homeless population to work together to better address homelessness.
Action!! Congress Needs to Hear your Voice Too!
Our U.S. Senators and Representatives are not here to see the crowds at the State Capitol, and they need to hear how upset people are.
The week of March 17 – 21, both the U.S. Senate and House will be on recess and back in their districts. Grab a friend or two and visit their local office. Make sure they know you are watching them and expecting them to lead.
Also, Senator Warnock is having a Virtual Town Hall this Tuesday, March 11 at 6pm. It will stream on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and BlueSky. Use this form (https://www.warnock.senate.gov/contact/contact-form/) to submit a question, or ask your question on the social media platform during streaming. To my knowledge, no registration is required. Just look for the event on your favored social media platform.
Stay loud. Stay engaged. Change happens when we fight for it.
What’s Next?
The State Senate will turn its attention to the House bills that passed before or on Crossover Day. Democrats will keep pushing for their bills to be heard in Committee so they can pass them next year.
*Oops. Some of you told me last week the phone number for the Lt. Governor’s office was disconnected. That’s because I accidentally switched two numbers. The Lt. Governor makes major decisions about which bills get votes and which don’t, so keep this number handy: 404-656-5030.
We’re Showing Up!
What’s It Matter to You?
This week’s video focuses on high electric bills and the role of the Public Service Commission. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fRYmBlQKFWo
