Newsom Talks Progressive Policy With Democratic Lawmakers on DC Trip

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s trip to Washington D.C. last week placed his policies under a national spotlight. The governor met with officials in President Joe Biden’s administration and Democrat lawmakers last week to discuss how the state can aid in supporting the Democrat party’s strategies.

Before departing to D.C., Newsom signed a series of gun control bills. Notably one signed July 12 allows local municipalities and Californians to sue gun manufacturers. Two days later, Newsom met with several Democrat senators to highlight his efforts of keeping Californians “from gun violence, wildfires and Republican efforts to roll back reproductive rights.”

Newsom and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) discussed California’s strict gun control laws, which Newsom attributes to California’s leadership in reducing gun violence. Murphy has also been a progressive advocate of strict gun control measures.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) meets with Gov. Gavin Newsom. (Courtesy of the California governor’s office)

“Our kids, families and communities deserve streets free of gun violence and gun makers must be held accountable for their role in this crisis,” Newsom said in a statement. “Nearly every industry is held liable when people are hurt or killed by their products—guns should be no different.”

The governor also met with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) to discuss how California can help senators expand abortion services, as Newsom beefed up the state’s support of abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade, which deemed abortion a constitutional right.

Newsom responded to the court’s ruling by enshrining the ability to have an abortion into California’s constitution, even though the state already protects abortion under its privacy laws.

During his trip, Newsom also accepted the Frank Newman Award for State Innovation from the Education Commission of the States, which drew criticism from Republicans.

“Exactly which education accomplishment is