About

In the seventy years since the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) (formerly known as the Democratic Policy Committee (DPC)) was established in January 1947, it has served as an advisory board to the Democratic Leadership and as a research, policy-formulating, and communications arm of Senate Democrats. While the DPCC's role has evolved through the years, the thread that unifies its long history is the key role it has played in facilitating communication among Senate Democrats and enhancing their ability to formulate and advance their agenda.

Under the leadership of Chairwoman Senator Debbie Stabenow and Vice Chairmanship of Senator Joe Manchin, the DPCC provides a variety of member services for Democratic Senators and their staff, including research, legislative summaries for bills being considered on the Senate floor, local data on the impact of legislation, and communications tools. 

DPCC Reports

DPCC Report: Trump Knew.

September 10, 2020

President Trump was Briefed on How Deadly COVID-19 is, but Minimized the Dangers to the Public. Because of his Lies and Inaction, We've Lost Nearly 200,000 Americans. Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) today released a report putting President Trump's remarks on the COVID-19 pandemic up against the number of cases and deaths occurring in the United States. This week, we learned that President more...


DPCC Report: Economic Justice - Fighting Racial Disparities during COVID-19 and Beyond

September 9, 2020

As the COVID-19 Pandemic Hurts Communities of Color at Disproportionate Rates, Senate Democrats are Fighting to Correct Historic Inequalities Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) today released a report outlining why communities of color are suffering higher rates of unemployment and other consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlights how the Senate Democrats' Economic Justice Act more...


DPCC Report: During the COVID-19 Crisis, Senate Democrats Are Putting People First

July 1, 2020

Eight DPCC Reports Outline the Health and Economic impacts of COVID-19 on American Families, the costs of Republican inaction and Senate Democrats' Plans for Action Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) today released a summary of eight DPCC reports that detail the devastating cost of Republican inaction and how Senate Democrats have put American families first during the COVID-19 crisis. The more...

Legislative Graveyard

The DPCC continues to highlight Mitch McConnell’s refusal to act on issues affecting the American people. Some of the bills passed by the House of Representatives that McConnell has refused to bring up in the Senate include:

Bill Number Bill Title Date Passed
H.R. 1 For the People Act (3/8/19) 3/8/19
H.R. 397 Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (12/12/19) 12/12/19
H.R. 4 Voting Rights Advancement Act (12/6/19) 12/6/19
H.R. 6 American Dream and Promise Act (6/4/19) 6/4/19
H.R. 7 Paycheck Fairness Act (3/27/19) 3/27/19
H.R. 8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act (2/27/19) 2/27/19
H.R. 9 Climate Action Now Act (5/2/19) 5/2/19
H.R. 397 Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act (7/24/19) 7/24/19
H.R. 582 Raise the Wage Act (7/18/19) 7/18/19
H.R. 986 Protecting Americans with Preexisting Conditions Act (5/9/19) 5/9/19
H.R. 987 ENROLL Act (5/16/19) 5/16/19
H.R. 987 MORE Health Education Act (5/16/19) 5/16/19
H.R. 1112 Enhanced Background Checks Act (2/28/19) 2/28/19
H.R. 1585 Violence Against Women Reauthorization (4/4/19) 4/4/19
H.R. 1644 Save the Internet Act (4/10/19) 4/10/19
H.R. 2474 Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2019 (2/6/20) 2/6/20
H.R. 2722 Securing America's Federal Elections Act (6/27/19) 6/27/19
H.R. 4031 GLRI Act of 2019 (2/5/20) 2/5/20

Captured Courts

Senate Democrats are shedding a light on the right-wing takeover of our judicial system. Working hand in hand with the administration and anonymously funded outside groups, Senate Republicans have confirmed more than 200 new life-tenured federal judges to aggressively remake the federal courts and rewrite the Constitution. Most were chosen not for their qualifications or experience—which are often lacking—but for their demonstrated allegiance to Republican Party political goals.

Senators Booker, Stabenow, Whitehouse, Blumenthal, Brown, Cardin, Van Hollen Unveil New Report on Consequences for Core Civil Rights Protections of Special Interest Campaign to Capture Our Courts

October 23, 2020

Report shows anonymously funded, dark money groups have worked to tilt the balance of the judiciary in favor of special interests, denying workers, racial minorities, women, immigrants, and religious minorities equal justice under law WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) released a new report detailing how special interests' more...


Blumenthal, Whitehouse, Stabenow, Colleagues Release Report Exposing Powerful Gun Lobby's Scheme to Strike Down Commonsense Gun Safety Laws Through the Courts

October 23, 2020

The corrupt NRA - supported by gun manufacturers & dark money interests - has poured millions of dollars into capturing the courts [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today released an extensive report detailing the process by which the corrupt National Rifle Association (NRA), with gun manufacturers and dark money interests bankrolling its operations, has captured America's courts to roll back sensible gun more...


Merkley, Whitehouse, Stabenow, Colleagues Release Disturbing Report on How Special Interests Have Blocked Climate Action in the Courts

October 16, 2020

As extremist Supreme Court nomination moves forward, report details how appointment of over 200 inexperienced, young, and partisan extremist judges has already had devastating impact on our environment WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), today led the release of an extensive report detailing the process by which the powerful and the privileged have captured America's judicial courts-and the more...

Hearings

Senate Democrats Hold Hearing on D.C. Statehood

July 1, 2020

more...


Senate Democrats to Hold Hearing on Treatment of Children at the Border

July 23, 2019

more...


Senate Democrats to Hold Hearing with Americans Hurt by High Cost of Prescription Drugs

August 21, 2018

On Tuesday, August 21st at 3:00 PM, Senate Democrats will hold a hearing titled, “America Speaks Out: The Urgent Need to Tackle Health Care Costs and Prescription Drug Prices.” The Senators will hear from Americans who have struggled with the high cost of prescription drugs, including the mother of diabetic young man who died because he could not afford insulin and an 80-year old retiree who cannot afford his Parkinson’s medication. Nicole Smith-Holt – Richfield, MN: Nicole is a Minnesota state more...


Senate Democrats to Hold Hearing with Americans Who Are at Risk of Losing Health Coverage Because of Pre-Existing Conditions

August 16, 2018

On Thursday, August 16th at 10:00 AM, Senate Democrats will hold a hearing titled, “America Speaks Out: Protecting Care for Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions.” The Senators will hear testimony from Americans with pre-existing conditions who would be hurt by Republican efforts to expand junk insurance plans and take away their health coverage.  Elena Hung – Silver Spring, MD: Elena is the president and co-founder of the Little Lobbyists. Her daughter, Xiomara, was born with complex medical needs and has required more...


Senate Democrats, Survivors, Family Members to Hold Hearing on Protecting Children from Gun Violence

March 5, 2018

On Wednesday, March 7th at 4:00pm, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) will co-host a Senate Democrats hearing entitled “America Speaks Out: Protecting Our Children from Gun Violence.” The Senators will hear testimony from survivors of gun violence and family members who want Congress to take swift action to strengthen our nation’s gun laws.    FEATURING:  David Hogg, 17-year old student from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School – Since a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that claimed more...


Democracy for Sale: How Our Broken Campaign Finance System Allows Foreign Governments to Buy Influence in Our Elections and What We Can Do About It

July 19, 2017

Ellen Weintraub, Washington, DCTestimony                Norm Ornstein, Testimony                Larry NobleTestimony                Sheila KrumholzTestimony                Liz Kennedy Testimony more...


America Speaks Out: The High Cost of Trumpcare on Families

May 10, 2017

Cyndi Johnson, Bloomington, IN Cyndi is the mother of three who works part time. Her 10-year old daughter was born with Down syndrome a few years before the passage of the ACA. Cyndi’s husband had insurance for their family through his employer, but because of the significant services that their daughter needed, the family was forced to assume significant debt, including a loan on their home. Testimony Gina Walkington, Bristol, WI Gina is the mother of three young children.When Gina was 20 years more...


Forum with Americans Whose Healthcare Would be Hurt by Tom Price’s Policies

January 19, 2017

Ann Serafin, Ferndale, MIAnn lives with multiple sclerosis and is covered by Medicare. Ann and her husband also supported Ann's mother for the last decade and, after years of financial stress, were able to get her mother into a nursing home, with the cost of her care covered by Medicaid.TestimonyDiane Fleming, Washington, DCDiane is 75 years old and lives in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C.  She went on Medicare at age 65.  Five years ago, Diane was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and Medicare has covered the bills more...


Forum with Americans Whose Healthcare Would be Hurt by Tom Price’s Policies

January 19, 2017

Ann Serafin, Ferndale, MIAnn lives with multiple sclerosis and is covered by Medicare. Ann and her husband also supported Ann's mother for the last decade and, after years of financial stress, were able to get her mother into a nursing home, with the cost of her care covered by Medicaid.TestimonyDiane Fleming, Washington, DCDiane is 75 years old and lives in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C.  She went on Medicare at age 65.  Five years ago, Diane was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and Medicare has covered the bills more...


Senate Democrats Host Forum with Mnuchin Bank OneWest Foreclosure Victims

January 18, 2017

Colleen Ison-Hodroff, Minneapolis, MNColleen and her husband purchased their home in 1963, and after 55 years Financial Freedom, their reverse mortgage servicer, is trying to foreclose their home.TestimonyChristina Clifford, Whittier, CATestimonyHealth McCreary, Sparks, NVTestimonyPaula GonzalezTestimony more...


Forum with Workers Mistreated by Puzder

January 10, 2017

Christine L. OwensTestimonyLupe Guzman,Lupe is a 47 year old, single mother of six. She worked at Carl’s Jr. in Las Vegas for seven years. Lupe worked long hours, often not getting paid for her hours worked.TestimonyLaura McDonald,Laura worked for Mr. Puzder at Carl’s Jr. Ms. McDonald worked more than 60 hours a week, but the Labor budget only allowed her to be paid 47.5 hours per week.TestimonyRoberto Ramierz, Los Angeles, CARoberto worked at Carl’s Jr. in Los Angeles, where he resides, and ran into a more...

Releases

Senators Booker, Stabenow, Whitehouse, Blumenthal, Brown, Cardin, Van Hollen Unveil New Report on Consequences for Core Civil Rights Protections of Special Interest Campaign to Capture Our Courts

October 23, 2020

Report shows anonymously funded, dark money groups have worked to tilt the balance of the judiciary in favor of special interests, denying workers, racial minorities, women, immigrants, and religious minorities equal justice under law WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) released a new report detailing how special interests' more...


Blumenthal, Whitehouse, Stabenow, Colleagues Release Report Exposing Powerful Gun Lobby's Scheme to Strike Down Commonsense Gun Safety Laws Through the Courts

October 23, 2020

The corrupt NRA - supported by gun manufacturers & dark money interests - has poured millions of dollars into capturing the courts [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today released an extensive report detailing the process by which the corrupt National Rifle Association (NRA), with gun manufacturers and dark money interests bankrolling its operations, has captured America's courts to roll back sensible gun more...


Merkley, Whitehouse, Stabenow, Colleagues Release Disturbing Report on How Special Interests Have Blocked Climate Action in the Courts

October 16, 2020

As extremist Supreme Court nomination moves forward, report details how appointment of over 200 inexperienced, young, and partisan extremist judges has already had devastating impact on our environment WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), today led the release of an extensive report detailing the process by which the powerful and the privileged have captured America's judicial courts-and the more...

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