2019: Strickland Voted For Governor Kemp’s “Patients First Act,” Which Allowed For A Restrictive Medicaid Expansion In Georgia And Imposed Work Requirements For Recipients. In 2019, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for S.B. 106, ‘“Patients First Act’.” According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp met with his top health leaders in a public roundtable discussion to tout the work accomplished under his first major initiative, the 2019 Patients First Act, and the challenges ahead. The Act’s three major changes to state health policy have all rolled out now. They allowed Georgia to expand Medicaid without a blanket invitation to all poor adults, allowed Georgia to subsidize the Affordable Care Act marketplace for higher-income policyholders, and allows the state to substitute state management of the Affordable Care Act marketplace for federal. […] Unlike 40 other states, Georgia does not automatically give health insurance to poor adults. Kemp instead devised a unique program to offer Medicaid to those who meet certain requirements, such as working for an employer 80 hours a month, attending certain amounts of college, or other activities. Activities such as caring for one’s own children full-time does not count.” The Georgia Senate passed the legislation 32 to 20. The Georgia House passed the bill and the bill ultimately became law. [Georgia General Assembly – S.B. 106 (2019), Effective 3/27/19; Georgia Senate Vote 65, 2/26/19; Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 8/20/24]
2021: Kemp’s Office Acknowledged That His Limited Medicaid Expansion Would Leave More Than 400,000 Georgians Uninsured. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “It would have allowed perhaps as many as 50,000 poor and uninsured adults to be added to the Medicaid rolls within two years. Still, Kemp’s office estimated that more than 400,000 people would not meet the Medicaid requirements and would be left uninsured.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 12/23/21]
2014: Strickland Voted To Require Legislative Approval Before Georgia Could Expand Medicaid, Rather Than Just The Governor’s Approval. In 2014, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for H.B. 990, “Social services; expansion of Medicaid eligibility through increase in income threshold without prior legislative approval; prohibit” According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “State lawmakers are considering House Bill 990, which would give them, rather than Deal, the power to expand Medicaid. Supporters of expansion say the bill would create another barrier to low-income Georgians getting the health care they need. The state, they say, can’t afford to pass up the more than $30 billion in new federal funding expansion would bring.” The Georgia House passed and adopted the legislation by substitute 118 to 57. The Georgia Senate passed the bill and the bill was ultimately signed into law. [Georgia General Assembly – H.B. 990 (2014), Effective 7/1/14; Georgia House Vote 678, 3/3/14; Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/10/14]
2014: Strickland Voted To Make Georgia Non-Compliant With The Affordable Care Act And Prohibit The Use Of State Funds To Advocate For Medicaid Expansion. In 2014, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for H.B. 707, “The Georgia Health Care Freedom and ACA Noncompliance Act.” According to 13 WMAZ, “In a 115-59 vote Monday night, the state House of Representatives passed House Bill 707. That's the Georgia Health Care Freedom and ACA Non-Compliance Act. The bill's sponsor, Representative Jason Spencer, told 13WMAZ the bill's passing is a victory for Georgians. ‘We are protecting state resources from being commandeered by the federal government,’ Spencer said. He says the Affordable Care Act can only be successful with states assisting it, and that Georgia won't comply with a federal law it doesn't support. ‘This is essentially non-compliance. We're not going to help this law get off the ground. It's a terrible law, and it's okay to say no to a bad idea, and that's what 707 does,’ Spencer said. The bill would end programs like UGA Health Navigators, which help people sign up for health insurance under the federal exchange. ‘The federal government is using our brand, our cooperative extension services network to advocate a policy that Georgia opposes,’ he said. HB 707 also prohibits the state from running its own insurance exchange. Under the law, state agencies or departments would not be allowed to use state funds to advocate for Medicaid expansion. Currently, Governor Nathan Deal has the sole authority to expand Medicaid in the state, but the bill would require that expansion to be approved by the legislature.” The Georgia House passed and adopted the legislation by substitute 115 to 59. The Georgia Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [Georgia General Assembly – H.B. 707 (2014), Pre-Filed 12/16/13; Georgia House Vote 685, 3/3/14; 13 WMAZ, 3/4/14]
2014: Strickland Voted To Impose Drug Testing Requirements For Food Stamp Recipients Suspected Of Using Drugs. In 2014, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for H.B. 772, “Public assistance; drug testing for applicants for food stamps; require.” According to WABE, “On March 20, 2014, in the final hours of the legislative session, Georgia lawmakers passed HB 772, a bill which would require some food stamp recipients to submit to drug tests–if state officials have a reasonable suspicion that the recipients are using drugs.” The Georgia House agreed to the Senate amendments or substitute 100 to 67. The bill was ultimately signed into law. [Georgia General Assembly – H.B. 772 (2014), Effective 7/1/14; Georgia House Vote 865, 3/20/14; WABE, 3/25/14]
2014: The Federal Government Warned The State Of Georgia That Requiring Some Food Stamp Recipients To Undergo Drug Testing Was Unlawful. According to Reuters, “The federal government has warned the state of Georgia that its new law requiring some food-stamp recipients to undergo drug testing is illegal. In a letter to Georgia's attorney general on Tuesday, Robin Bailey, regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, told Georgia that drug testing to qualify for food stamps ‘is not allowable under law.’ The letter did not specify a possible penalty.” [Reuters, 6/4/14]
2019: Strickland Voted To Ban Abortion After Six Weeks Of Pregnancy, “Typically When An Ultrasound Can Detect Cardiac Activity In An Embryo.” In 2019, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for H.B. 481, “Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act.” According to WABE, “Georgia’s abortion law H.B. 481 took effect three years ago, following the U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision ending federal abortion protections. Proponents of the law say it’s working as designed. Atlanta abortion-rights advocates, doctors and patients say the state law continues to interfere with pregnancy care. H.B. 481, also called The Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act, bans abortion after around six weeks of pregnancy, typically when an ultrasound can detect cardiac activity in an embryo.” The Georgia Senate passed and adopted the legislation by substitute 34 to 18. The Georgia House subsequently agreed to the Senate changes and the bill was signed into law. [Georgia General Assembly – H.B. 481 (2019), Effective 1/1/20; Georgia Senate Vote 227, 3/22/19; WABE, 7/22/25]
2022: Strickland Co-Sponsored And Voted For Legislation That Would Have Banned Access To Abortion Pills By Mail Without An In-Person Visit With A Doctor And Required An Ultrasound During The Doctor’s Visit. In 2022, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland co-sponsored and voted for S.B. 456, “requirements relating to the use of abortion-inducing drugs.” According to Georgia Public Broadcasting, “Doctors across Georgia are urging state lawmakers to oppose a bill that would ban receiving abortion medication by mail. Senate Bill 456 would prohibit access to abortion pills by mail without an in-person visit with a doctor. The visit would have to include various physical exams, including an ultrasound. Patients have been able to access the pills through telemedicine after the Biden administration expanded access as reliance on virtual medical visits grew exponentially during the pandemic. But Georgia Republican lawmakers have launched an effort to counteract the federal decision.” The Georgia Senate passed the legislation 31 to 22. The Georgia House did not take substantive action on the bill. [Georgia General Assembly – S.B. 456 (2022), Introduced 2/3/22; Georgia Senate Vote 576, 3/1/22; Georgia Public Broadcasting, 2/23/22]
2016: Strickland Voted To Provide Up To $2 Million In State Grants To Anti-Abortion Pregnancy Resource Centers. In 2016, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for S.B. 308, “Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program.” According to WABE, “A Georgia House committee passed a measure Tuesday that could provide up to $2 million in state grants for nonprofit pregnancy resource centers that discourage women from getting abortions. The bill, SB 308, would set up the ‘Positive Alternatives for Pregnancy and Parenting Grant Program’ through the state Department of Public Health.” The Georgia House passed and adopted the legislation by substitute 103 to 52. The Georgia Senate subsequently agreed to the bill and the bill was signed into law. [Georgia General Assembly – S.B. 308 (2016), Effective 7/1/16; Georgia House Vote 737, 3/11/16; WABE, 3/9/16]
2016: Strickland Voted For A “Religious Freedom” Bill That Would Have Allowed Faith-Based Groups To Deny Services Or Employment To LGBTQ+ People. In 2016, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for H.B. 757, “Domestic relations; religious officials shall not be required to perform marriage ceremonies in violation of their legal right; provide” According to PBS, “Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said Monday he planned to veto House Bill 757, a ‘religious freedom’ bill, which broadly protected opponents of same-sex marriage. […] Under HB 757, faith-based groups would have been able to deny services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people or anyone who violated their ‘sincerely held religious belief,’ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The bill would have allowed religious groups the refusal to hire or retain someone who didn't align with the same beliefs.” The Georgia House agreed to the Senate amendments or substitute 104 to 65. The Georgia Senate agreed to the House changes, but Governor Deal vetoed the bill. [Georgia General Assembly – H.B. 757 (2016), Vetoed 3/28/16; Georgia House Vote 777, 3/16/16; PBS, 3/28/16]
2022: Strickland Voted For A Library Book-Banning Bill That Outlined New Policies And Procedures To Potentially Remove Books From School Libraries. In 2022, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for S.B. 226, “Sale or Distribution of Harmful Materials to Minors; provisions of Code Section 16-12-103 shall be applicable to libraries operated by schools; provide.” According to Georgia Public Broadcasting, “Local school boards will have to develop policies to screen and potentially remove books from school libraries deemed harmful to minors under legislation that gained final passage in the Georgia Senate Wednesday. Senate Bill 226 passed the Republican-controlled chamber 29-21 along party lines. It already had passed the state House of Representatives last week 97-61, also on a party-line vote. Under the bill, school principals would have seven business days to review complaints from parents that a given book is obscene and ‘lacking in serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for minors.’ Principals would have three additional days to determine whether a book should be removed from that school’s library and inform the parent of the decision.” The Georgia Senate agreed to the House amendments or substitute 29 to 21. The bill ultimately became law. [Georgia General Assembly – S.B. 226 (2022), Effective 7/1/22; Georgia Senate Vote 757, 3/30/22; Georgia Public Broadcasting, 3/31/22]
2024: Strickland Co-Sponsored And Voted For Legislation That Would Ban State Funding For Libraries Affiliated With The American Library Association, Claiming The Association Was Influenced By Marxism. In 2024, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland co-sponsored and voted for S.B. 390, “To amend Titles 20, 36, 43, and 50, related to libraries, education, governmental entities, professions and business; acceptance and use of funds from the American Library Association prohibit under certain circumstances.” According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Republicans in the Georgia Senate have turned a new page in the culture war over books. Nearly two dozen of them, including several high-ranking members, have signed onto legislation that seeks to ban government funding for libraries affiliated with the American Library Association, which they claim is influenced by Marxist ideology. Senate Bill 390, introduced Wednesday, would deny ALA-affiliated libraries any taxpayer funding from Georgia’s cities, counties, public schools, the state University System and other public bodies created under the state Constitution or laws.” The Georgia Senate passed and adopted the bill by substitute 33 to 20. The Georgia House did not take substantive action on the bill. [Georgia General Assembly – S.B. 390 (2024), Introduced 1/24/24; Georgia Senate Vote 600, 2/29/24; Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 1/25/24]
2021: Strickland Voted To Restrict Voting Access In Georgia, Introducing More Rigid Voter Identification Requirements For Mail-In Ballots, Restricting Ballot Drop Boxes, And Expanding The General Assembly’s Power Over Elections. In 2021, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for S.B. 202, “Elections and Primaries; persons or entities that mail absentee ballot applications shall mail such applications only to eligible registered electors; provide.” According to the New York Times, “Georgia Republicans on Thursday passed a sweeping law to restrict voting access in the state, introducing more rigid voter identification requirements for absentee balloting, limiting drop boxes and expanding the Legislature’s power over elections. The new measures make Georgia the first major battleground to overhaul its election system since the turmoil of last year’s presidential contest.” The Georgia Senate agreed to the House amendments or substitute 34 to 20. The bill was ultimately signed into law. [Georgia General Assembly – S.B. 202 (2021), Effective 3/25/21; Georgia Senate Vote 283, 3/25/21; New York Times, 3/25/21]
2025: In Federal Court, Voting Rights Advocates Presented Evidence That Showed S.B. 202 “Drastically Deepened Racial Inequalities In Voting Access In The State” And Indicated More Than 1.6 Million Georgia Voters Faced Greater Barriers To Voting, Predominantly Affecting Black And Minority Voters. According to Democracy Docket, “Four years after GOP lawmakers in Georgia enacted one of the most aggressive anti-voting laws in the country, new evidence filed in federal court shows that Senate Bill 202 (SB 202) has drastically deepened racial inequalities in voting access in the state. The findings came in a recent filing by voting advocates challenging the law, and they were drawn from 2024 election data and expert testimony. They indicate that more than 1.6 million registered voters faced increased barriers because of the law, with Black and minority voters bearing the biggest brunt.” [Democracy Docket, 10/20/25]
2022: Strickland Voted For Legislation That Would “Crack Down On Unruly Protesters” Following The 2020 Social Justice Protests. In 2022, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for S.B. 171, ‘“Safe Communities Act of 2021’; enact.” According to Georgia Recorder, “Legislation intended to crack down on unruly protesters – and that detractors argue could chill free speech and assembly – appears to be in limbo heading into the final week of the legislative session. During a recent scheduled hearing, the House Judiciary Non-Civil Subcommittee tabled Sen. Randy Robertson’s Safe Communities Act because he did not show up to present the bill as civil rights groups packed the small state Capitol room to speak out against it. The legislation is attracting a wide range of critics, including First Amendment lawyers, progressive organizations like the ACLU and Americans for Prosperity, a libertarian and conservative advocacy organization. […] Robertson, a Catuala Republican, introduced the bill in 2021 to stiffen the punishment of unlawful protesters and hold local officials more accountable after the social justice protests in 2020, which at times devolved into nighttime looting, violence, and arson.” The Georgia Senate passed the legislation and adopted by substitute 31 to 21. The Georgia House did not take substantive action on the bill. [Georgia General Assembly – S.B. 171 (2022), Introduced 2/11/21; Georgia Senate Vote 652, 3/15/22; Georgia Recorder, 3/26/22]
2022: Opponents Of The Legislation Warned It Would “Stifle The Right To Protest.” According to Center Square, “Legislators also considered Senate Bill 171, the ‘Safe Communities Act of 2021,’ inspired by protests nationwide over the past two years. Proponents said it would punish protestors who commit crimes, while critics said it would stifle the right to protest. The state Senate passed the measure, but the state House did not pass it before the session expired.” [Center Square, 5/3/22]
2022: Democratic State Representative William Boddie Said The Permitting Requirement Was One Of The Most “Problematic” And Undemocratic Pieces Of The Legislation Since It Would Have Required A Permit To Protest Or Rally On Public Property, Including The Georgia State Capitol Or Courthouse Steps. According to Georgia Recorder, “Rep. William Boddie, a East Point Democrat, said Roberton would have faced tough questions about the bill’s constitutionality from a judiciary panel composed of multiple attorneys and other members Boddie said it, it is unlikely that the bill would have enough support to pass the House committee. ‘One of the pieces of the legislation that was really problematic, I think for both conservatives and progressives, is it will make it where you have to have a permit to have a protest or rally on public property,’ Boddie said. ‘That includes places like the state Capitol or the courthouse steps. That’s just not democratic.’” [Georgia Recorder, 3/26/22]