5.2 Democrats

Question 1

6 - understand and just skip

Outline Democrat views on social and moral issues

Answer 1

• Abolition of death penalty
• Support LGBT relationships e.g. Respect for Marriage Act 2022
• Staunchly pro-choice
• Build clean energy economy + push climate change efforts
• Accept 2nd amendment, but advocate greater background checks and regulation
• Reinstate Dreamer protections

Question 2

4

Outline Democrat views on economic issues

Answer 2

• not renew Trump tax cuts (set to expire after 2025)
• Raise minimum wage to $15hr and ensure equal pay
• Expand safeguards on risky Wall St trading
• IRA 2022 - greater government intervention ($738m clean energy subsidies)

Question 3

2

Outline Democrat views on welfare issues

Answer 3

• Expansive healthcare insurance (some advocate universal)
• Debt relief proposals

Question 4

3

List the factions of the Democrats

Answer 4

• Liberals (progressive left)
• Moderates (centre)
• Conservatives (right)

Question 5

4

Describe the democrat faction: liberals

Answer 5

• More comfortable with government intervention for social justice and protect rights of all
• Advocate universal healthcare, green new deal
• 2021, 6 progressive democrats held up passage of Biden infrastructure bill until social security package included
• Notable figures: the ‘squad’, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren

Question 6

3

Describe the democrat faction: moderates

Answer 6

• Liberal values but compromise on specifics
• e.g. Diane Feinstein opposed death penalty and supports climate change efforts, but opposed government takeover of healthcare
• Notable figures: Chuck Schumer

Question 7

3

Describe the democrat faction: conservatives

Answer 7

• Socially and morally conservative, but agree with Democrats on fiscal and economic policy
• Increasingly uncommon in era of hyperpartisanship
• Notable former figures: Kyrsten Sinema, Joe Manchin

Question 8

4

Describe the Democrats and gender

Answer 8

• Historically attract greater female vote
• Due to pro-life stance and greater number of female politicians
• 2020: 55% women backed Biden vs 48% men
• Important as female turnout higher

Question 9

5

Describe the Democrats and race

Answer 9

• Greater support from racial minorities
• Greater functional representation
• Affirmative action, voting rights and immigration policies
• 2020: Biden 92% of black vote
• 2020 - eligible hispanic turnout over 50% for 1st time

Question 10

2

Describe Democrats and education

Answer 10

• Those with college-degree more likely to vote for Clinton and Biden

Question 11

3

Describe the arguments that the democrats are united/disunited

Answer 11

• Social/moral
• Economic
• Welfare

Question 12

3

Describe the argument that the democrats are united - social and moral

Answer 12

• Super progressives a small group that lack senators and govenors → limited to representatives
• No Democrat senators voted against Respect for Marriage Act 2022
• Little democrat challenge to Biden in 2024 primaries despite Biden Israel support

Question 13

5

Describe the argument that the democrats are disunited - social and moral

Answer 13

• Primary divide
• 2021, Representative Henry Cuellar only Democrat to vote against Women’s Health Protection Act (in response to Texas Heartbeat Bill)
• Manchin is pro-life and endorsed Republican bill to end federal funding for planned parenthood
• Machin also abstained from DREAM Act 2010 bill
• 2023, 9 House democrats voted to ban race theories being taught in military-ran schools

Question 14

4

Describe the argument that the democrats are united - economic

Answer 14

• electability leads to greater fiscal caution, squeezing the liberals
• Manchin and Sinema backed IRA 2022
• No Democrats voted for Trump’s 2017 tax cuts
• Schumer and Pelosi, 2 moderates, co-operated with Sanders to create budget resolution in American Rescue Plan of 2021 - $300bn unemployment benefit

Question 15

3

Describe the argument that the democrats are disunited - economic

Answer 15

• Liberals much more hostile to big business
• 2021, 6 progressive democrats held up passage of Biden infrastructure bill until social security package included
• Amazon HQ debate

Question 16

3

Describe the Amazon HQ debate

Answer 16

• Discussions about whether Amazon should receive tax breaks if HQ moved to NY
• Clash between liberals and moderates
• AOC and Warren very opposed, Cuomo less hostile

Question 17

3

Describe the argument that the democrats are united - welfare

Answer 17

• All Democrats voted in favour of Honouring our PACT Act 2022 - gives more healthcare support to veterans
• 90% of Democrats supported ACA
• Machin has praised ACA

Question 18

3

Describe the argument that the democrats are disunited - welfare

Answer 18

• Super liberals endorsed plans for universal medicare system
• 39 Democrat congress members opposed ACA in at least one of its forms
• 2 Democrats voted against Biden debt relief plans