What is the IDC?

Independent Democratic Conference

The New York State Senate has 32 Democrats and 31 Republicans but the Republicans have majority control.

How can this be?

8 Democratic Senators have formed a rogue group called the IDC, or Independent Democratic Conference, that is aligned with Republicans in the NY State Senate. The IDC, plus another lone Democrat, Simcha Felder, give the Republicans majority control.

This alliance with Republicans has blocked progressive legislation including:

  • DREAM ACT to provide tuition assistance to children of undocumented immigrants
  • NYS LIBERTY ACT to protect immigrants by making NY a sanctuary state
  • ELEMENTS OF THE WOMEN’S EQUALITY ACT to codify Roe v. Wade in New York law (Reproductive Health Act to protect access to abortion and the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act to protect access to no-copay birth control)
  • GENDA (Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act) to protect LGBTQIA New Yorkers from discrimination
  • VOTING REFORM including early voting and automatic voter registration
  • CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM AND ETHICS REFORM to clean up Albany corruption
  • SINGLE PAYER HEALTH CARE to protect New Yorkers’ health and well-being

Because Republicans have control, these bills never make it to the Senate floor for a vote; they simply die in committee. Still, IDC members claim to support the bills while neglecting to mention that it is their very alliance with Republicans that has killed them.

In the age of Trump, New York State should be a national model of progressive legislative action, protecting and improving the lives of New Yorkers.

WHY DOES THE IDC ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH REPUBLICANS?

 

Rogue Democrats get perks and money. For example, Senator Marisol Alcantara got over $500,000 from the IDC’s Senate Independence Campaign Committee to run for her seat [Source]. This money came “largely from charter-school advocates and real estate” interests [Source]. IDC members get more staff, bigger offices, and some get legally questionable stipends (called “lulus”)[Source]. IDC members also get support for their district. All of this comes at the expense of broader progressive legislation[Source].