Democrats’ Bill Legalizing Marijuana Faces Bipartisan Pushback in Senate

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to reporters after a lunch meeting with Senate Democrats discussing a range of issues including the debt ceiling, in Washington on Sept. 28, 2021. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Legislation approved by the U.S. House to decriminalize possession of marijuana at a federal level is facing pushback from Republicans and Democrats in the Senate.

The bill was approved by House members on April 1 by a vote of 220–204, with three Republicans—Reps. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Brian Mast (R-Mich.), and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)—joining Democrats to pass the bill. Two Democrats voted no: Chris Pappas of New Hampshire and Henry Cuellar of Texas.