Protecting Our Democracy Act Represents ‘Lessons Learned’ From Trump Era, Levin Says

Last week, the U.S. House passed the Protecting Our Democracy Act, largely along party lines. Just one Republican, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) joined Democrats to support the legislation. Two Michigan Republicans, Rep. Fred Upton and Rep. Peter Meijer, who voted to impeach President Trump after the Jan. 6 insurrection, voted against this bill.

“One of our two major political parties in this country that has gone off the rails of democracy completely and that has become a cult of personality.” –Rep. Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township)

Among other things, it would prohibit presidents from pardoning themselves, beef up enforcement of the emoluments clause to prevent presidents from profiting off of their position in office and attempts to curb presidents’ ability to declare national emergencies in order to seize or maintain power.

Listen: Rep. Andy Levin talks about the Protecting Our Democracy Act and federal response to the shooting in Oxford.

Guest

Rep. Andy Levin is a Democrat from Bloomfield Township representing Michigan’s 9th District.

He says the legislation is an attempt to “learn the lessons of the last four years and put into law ways that we can make sure our democracy functions properly, regardless of whatever party’s holding the White House.”

Levin also reacts to the partisan split on the legislation, and the fact that even Republicans who supported impeaching President Trump don’t support this bill.

“I think that speaks to the point that … one of our two major political parties in this country that has gone off the rails of democracy completely and that has become a cult of personality,” he says.

Finally, Levin talks about the recent mass school shooting in Oxford and what he sees as the urgent need for federal laws to address America’s gun violence epidemic.

“I’m sick of thoughts and prayers and it’s time for those of us with the power to act to act and pass laws,” he says.