Conor Lamb

Among moderates like Conor the debate about whether or not to eliminate the filibuster is hot and heavy. He used to oppose the elimination, but he has since reversed his opinion. In a recent interview, Conor dived into his evolution on the topic, discussing the mere fact that if there cannot be bipartisanship on how to let people vote or how to peacefully hold an election, then a supposed compromise-supportive tool like the filibuster is all but moot. He sees the future of this old Senate tradition as something perhaps a little different, “… we might be able to come to some understanding at some point of how we’re going to protect and promote the minority in debate. And maybe that becomes something that’s not called a filibuster”.

Over the last week, many politicians have been calling on an investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak. Conor introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at holding foreign nations accountable with respect to outbreaks of virus and disease. The Never Again International Outbreak Prevention Act would require a formal investigation of the World Health Organization’s response to COVID-19, and it would also require President Biden to work with G-20 leaders to create a report with respect to the virus. In an effort to curb misleading information, the act will strip countries of their sovereign immunity if they send out false information. Anything to stop another pandemic!

Conor suspects there’s a longer road ahead for the American Jobs Plan before it gets passed into law, so he’s taking matters into his own hands. He introduced the bipartisan PAVE Act, which looks to advance roughly $18 billion in funding to state’s transportation departments. Covid has halted many State’s long overdue highway and roadway projects as well as lost revenue from lack of toll traffic, and Pennsylvania is no exception. At the end of last year, the Trump administration passed a bill that doled out $10 billion of the State’s requested $28 billion, and this new bill would make up the difference, specifically giving Conor’s state an additional $720 million. Conor is making a big legislative effort for causes beyond his district which only seems to support the speculation that he’s turning his 2022 sights on the Senate.

Rumors about Conor launching a possible run for Senate had been swirling but largely unconfirmed. Now, he’s been raking in money and holding large-dollar fundraisers, pointing to the plain and simple fact that the rumors were probably true. But entering the race for a PA Senate seat won’t be simple. The other Democratic candidate gaining traction right now is a much more progressive lawmaker, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman – a stark contrast to Conor’s much more moderate tone and ideology. Additionally, if he doesn’t run for the House again, Democrats will have a tough time finding a candidate who could win the swing district. However, with PA losing one seat, the fate of the 17th district might already be sealed. Takeaway? Stay tuned!

There is a lot of money being issued to help with the effects of COVID from the recovery and infrastructure bills, which is great, but it is important that this money supports American products. Conor is the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, a bipartisan group that supports the domestic steel industry. More than 50 members of the Steel Caucus sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy urging them to make a “commonsense commitment” to ensure that public infrastructure investments be directed toward U.S. production and American workers throughout the steelmaking supply chain. Buy American!

Democrats like Conor, who won in heavy Trump districts, might as well walk around town with giant bullseyes on their backs, particularly when it comes to issues like energy. Conor has long been seen as an ally to the fracking industry but is now emerging as an unlikely ally to environmentalists with his calls to reduce methane leaks from fracking. He introduced a resolution in Congress to overturn a Trump rule that weakened restrictions on harmful methane gas leaks and emissions. He also hopes the Biden Infrastructure Plan will be a chance to rebuild much of Western PA’s old and outdated infrastructure. So far, he is threading a very delicate political needle with a key emphasis on moderate balance.

When Conor won his seat in 2018, he became an example of how Democrats could win in swing districts and swing states – an increasingly difficult task. Now, as he eyes what’s to come in 2022, the future is just as uncertain. His district is going to be redrawn (and might even disappear) and while he’s mentioned the possibility of running for PA’s open Senate seat, the field is crowded – namely with racially diverse candidates who might appeal to PA’s urban and suburban voters. He, however, rejects that Democrats should give up on the white working class (most of his constituency), saying, “It’s kind of amazing that we even have to ask what the Democratic Party has to do to appeal to working-class people. In my mind, the question contains its own answer.” Do you agree?

Conor has been instrumental in passing the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, noting that the funding in this bill will deliver vaccines quicker, make schools safer, and better support the unemployed. It will help the millions more who have lost hours at work due to the pandemic and will protect people’s jobs, especially those who work for airlines and the public sector. This bill provides wartime-level funding to help end the COVID-19 pandemic. One thing we might all agree on is we need to open the country back up, but we also need a little government help. If you’re into this new Covid bill, Conor’s one politician to thank!

Imagine making $15,000 a year working a full-time job. That is the reality for many Americans (including essential workers) who work jobs that pay the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Conor has joined the chorus of Democrats who support the measure to gradually increase the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2025. “It’s inconsistent with everything I’ve ever learned about leadership and service,” he said while discussing the proposal’s inclusion in the upcoming Covid relief bill that will make its way (along party lines) through Congress. There’s been debate not only about the implications of raising the minimum wage on some small businesses, but also about even including the measure in the bill that the House and Senate will vote on. Despite these potential hiccups, Conor is not holding back in his full-throttled support. Could this have something to do with a rumored Senate run? We won’t speculate…

Well, the federal funding spicket for Pennsylvania continues to flow thanks to Conor’s efforts and hard work on behalf of his state. This time, it comes in the form of desperately needed funding for the PA Department of Transportation. In the December Covid stimulus package, Conor fought for the inclusion of roughly $10 Billion to be dedicated to helping bolster state transportation systems badly affected by the pandemic. This includes PennDOT, which is now nearly out of money due to lost revenue from the combination of an increased gas tax and reduction in driving. The department will now have access to roughly $400 million in federal stimulus funding, which will allow them to keep almost all of their 50 existing projects going. And that means folks keeping their jobs too!