In the initial span of President Biden’s tenure, 16 vulnerable House Democrats have been recorded to journey to the White House a combined total of 133 times. This frequent commute to meet with top-ranking officials not only outlines the critical position these House reps occupy but also underscores the key dynamics of Biden’s legislative agenda.
1. Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02): The Minnesotan representative has been a familiar figure in the corridors of power, making her way to the White House on 11 separate occasions. Her visits are often connected with important discussions on topics such as the American Jobs Plan and the fight against climate change.
2. Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07): The Georgia lawmaker’s 8 trips to Pennsylvania Avenue can be attributed to her crucial role in discussions about pandemic relief and associated economic issues.
3. Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01): Rep. Pappas’s 7 trips have mostly been aimed at reinforcing measures to combat climate change and improve veterans’ affairs.
4. Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03): The Iowa Democrat made 6 trips, primarily to advance her advocacy for rural communities and agriculture-related policies.
5. Rep. Conor Lamb (PA-17): On his 5 visits, the Pennsylvanian representative talked about infrastructure and labor rights issues.
6. Rep. Elaine Luria (VA-02): The Virginia lawmaker frequented the White House 9 times, focusing on matters like cybersecurity and military affairs due to her naval background.
7. Rep. Josh Harder (CA-10): The California representative had 8 trips, focusing on healthcare and agriculture issues.
8. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08): Making a total of 7 trips, the Pennsylvania Democrat addressed the needs of rural and working-class Americans.
9. Rep. Tom Malinowski (NJ-07): The New Jersey representative visited the White House on 9 separate occasions, each time tackling key issues such as foreign policy and human rights.
10. Rep. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01): O’Halleran has made his presence felt on 8 occasions, discussing improvements to the Affordable Care Act and veteran services.
11. Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02): Despite being a freshman representative, Carter made a total of 11 visits, mostly concerning infrastructure and climate change.
12. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07): The former CIA officer visited the White House 12 times, advocating for national security and rural America.
13. Rep. Jared Golden (ME-02): With 10 trips to the White House, Rep. Golden focused on discussing healthcare, veteran services and infrastructure.
14. Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04): Horsford made 8 trips to the White House, advocating for job creation, healthcare, and racial equality.
15. Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03): With 7 visits, Lee aimed to enhance education and workforce development.
16. Rep. David Trone (MD-06): The Maryland Democrat reported 5 visits to the White House, focusing on America’s opioid crisis, mental health, and addiction treatment services.
Counting the frequency and substance of these visits highlights the pivotal role of these 16 House Democrats. Their individual focus areas provide insight into the myriad political, social, and economic issues at the forefront of the Biden administration’s policy agenda. Furthermore, the visits signify President Biden’s commitment to engaging with the House Democrats, reinforcing their collective role in shaping the future of America.
