What a Bipartisan State of the Union Looks Like
When I sit down to watch the State of the Union address this Thursday, I’ll be listening closely for President Biden to utter a single word to reveal whether we can hope for progress over the next year: bipartisanship.
Politics may feel more polarized than ever, but here’s the reality of how Congress works: Most major legislation needs support from Democrats and Republicans to pass. And we know it’s still possible. In past presidential election years, it’s proved difficult to advance major pieces of legislation as the opposition party has been disinclined to give the sitting president any perceived “wins.” Just look at the Senate’s failed immigration bill. Nevertheless, there’s a real opportunity to address pressing issues unaffordable hospital bills, much-needed higher education reforms, and criminal justice measures to tackle violent crime rates that still haven’t fully reversed their COVID-era spike. But we can do so only if Biden exhibits a true commitment to bipartisan compromise.
After all, the key successes of Biden’s first term have largely been passed on a bipartisan basis. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the first federal gun safety policy in 30 years – all made it to Biden’s desk with significant Republican buy-in. Even the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed along partisan lines, included policies supported by Donald Trump like Medicare drug price negotiations.
By working across the aisle, Biden was able to make real policy change.
And, luckily for the president, there are more key bipartisan pieces of legislation working their way through Congress.
A broad bipartisan coalition in the Republican-run House of Representatives passed a law aimed at fixing a loophole that allows hospitals to charge more than doctors’ offices for the same exact procedures. The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, which received more than two-thirds support in the House, would close the loophole for certain procedures and save taxpayers roughly $6 billion over ten years. The bill would also lower costs for patients with chronic and life-threatening conditions by hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Prodding from Biden could help whip the votes from Senate Democrats wary of upsetting the powerful hospital lobby. At a time when 85 percent of voters from both sides of the aisle say they support this type of policy, Biden should view this bill not only as smart politics, but also a first step to wider reform. Studies show that expanding the same service-same price rule could save Medicare beneficiaries more than $90 billion and save employers and consumers in the commercial market more than $140 billion. That’s a real way to put money back in American’s pockets.
Biden can also work with Republicans on higher education reform. While his administration made headlines for student debt forgiveness, the real challenge is ensuring students don’t end up with unaffordable debt in the first place. The Streamlining Accountability and Value in Education (SAVE) for Students Act, sponsored by Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, would prohibit federal loans from going to undergraduate and graduate school programs that fail to improve student’s economic outcomes. This policy builds on Biden’s own regulations aimed at holding for-profit and vocational schools accountable but extends those protection to even more students.
There is also a bipartisan, bicameral coalition backing Sen. Cassidy’s and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi's (D-IL) College Transparency Act, which would provide students and families with the information they need to make smart decisions about higher education, and provide policymakers with the data necessary to craft effective policies. Democrats and Republicans have been working together on this one for years, and presidential support could finally get it over the finish line.
Criminal justice issues are largely handled at the state and local levels, but Democrats and Republicans have been working together in Congress on a bill that will provide funds to help law enforcement agencies solve cold cases and improve declining homicide clearance rates. The VICTIM Act, which passed the House in 2022 with bipartisan support, was recently introduced in the Senate by Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.). Cities across the country relied on COVID-era federal funds to bolster their police departments, but those funds are running out. Passing the VICTIM Act could give local jurisdictions the support they need to keep driving down violent crime rates.
The upcoming State of the Union address is more than a routine presidential obligation. It is a moment for President Biden to reaffirm his dedication to bringing Americans together – the foundation of his 2020 campaign. This includes not just lauding past achievements but also setting a clear, bipartisan agenda for the future – an agenda that will move policy forward rather than inspire go-nowhere legislative fights, tempt reversals by the Supreme Court, or spark a decade of repeal efforts. After all, initiatives like affordable health care, community safety, and robust higher education aren’t partisan issues. They’re American issues. And that’s something everyone – Democrats and Republicans – should be able to agree on.
Kelli Rhee is the president and chief executive officer of Arnold Ventures, a philanthropy working to improve the lives of all Americans by pursuing evidence-based solutions to our nation’s most pressing problems.
