Distinguished Pol of the Week: Shoring Up Democracy

No one bested Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) this week for verve, political pageantry and legislative acumen. She wore her power as stylishly as she did that red coat. However, in the interests of spreading the spotlight and examining other key players in the new Congress, I want to recognize. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.). Who, you ask? He’s not a household name yet, but he is chairman of the Democracy Reform Task Force and principal author of H.R. 1, a massive ethics, voting-rights and campaign-spending bill, entitled “For The People Act."… Sarbanes is right to emphasize that many voters feel “locked out of their democracy.” While much of this is directed at the president’s abuses, assaults on democratic norms as well as appalling conflicts of interest, we shouldn’t think of this merely as a response to one president. Around the world, democracy is under siege and, worse, losing its appeal to young adults. It’s not enough simply to rid ourselves of Trump; it’s necessary to bolster democratic institutions and enshrine in law certain ethical precepts we assumed were self-evident. (Bassin’s group last July put out a “Roadmap for Renewal” that includes many issues addressed in H.R. 1 and others as well, such as recapturing congressional power from the executive branch.) For bringing forth H.R. 1 and getting the ball rolling on this effort, Sarbanes deserves credit. We therefore can say well done and good luck, congressman.