The common Republican talking point that Democrats held power for “12 out of the last 16 years” distorts reality and doesn’t take Republican obstructionism into account.
Here’s a more accurate breakdown:
From 2008 to 2024, Democrats held majorities in the Senate, House, and White House for only 4 years, not 12. This was during Barack Obama’s first term from 2009 to 2010 and Joe Biden’s first two years from 2021 to 2022. Here’s what was achieved:
2009-2010 Obama’s First Term Accomplishments:
- Affordable Care Act (ACA): Expanded healthcare to millions, opposed by Republicans through misinformation like “death panels.”
- Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (2009): The first law signed by Obama, ensuring fair pay for women and addressing wage discrimination.
- Dodd-Frank Act: Regulation to prevent another financial crisis like the one presided over by George W Bush.
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Stimulus package to rescue the economy from the Bush-era recession.
Republicans responded by propagandizing the public over the new landmark improvements to healthcare by telling people there would be “death panels” which we now know to be false. We see the same lies from Republicans every election. It’s nothing but fear designed to bolster a political point.
Intimidating and coercing people with the fear of death was the hallmark of their campaigns, with hundreds of millions of dollars spent spreading lies about Obamacare. The Republican opposition and misinformation led to a massive midterm win in 2010, where they gained 63 House seats and 6 Senate seats, taking control of the House.
Two videos to remind viewers of how Republicans lied about “death panels” because they care more about power than reality even if they need to resort to terrorism for that power.
2021-2022 Biden’s First Term Accomplishments:
- American Rescue Plan: $1.9 trillion stimulus to counteract Trump’s mishandling of COVID.
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Massive investments in roads, bridges, and broadband — a promise that “builder” Trump never delivered.
- Inflation Reduction Act: Tackled inflation, healthcare costs, and climate action. This led to incredible gains for the average American as we came out of Trump’s incompetent covid response.
- CHIPS Act: Revitalized semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. A task Trump attempted to accomplish but failed.
- Bipartisan Safer Communities Act: Helped reduce violent crime and support gun safety measures.
Republicans have spent the other 12 years obstructing meaningful progress, focusing on tax cuts for the wealthy, creating terroristic lies, and attacking policies that benefit working-class Americans.
The idea that Democrats ‘held power’ for 12 years is misleading. In reality, Republicans have been obstructing efforts for 75% of that time. During the 25% of time when Democrats did hold power, we saw some of the most meaningful and positive legislation passed for America.
