The Rise and Fall of Progressive Reform: From the 2010s to Today’s Political Gridlock
There was a time, not long ago, when major progressive victories were still possible. A Democratic-controlled government—led by Barack Obama with congressional majorities—pushed through some of the most transformative policies in modern American history.
Same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide.
Healthcare was expanded to millions.
Protections for marginalized communities were strengthened.
Environmental and economic reforms reshaped federal policy.
This wasn’t ancient history. This was less than a decade ago.
Yet today, those same types of policies feel out of reach. Why was progress possible then, but not now? What changed in the political landscape?
The answer is not just about who is in power—it is about how the system itself has shifted to make lasting progress harder than ever before.
What Was Achieved: The Last Major Era of Progressive Policy
The Obama administration and a Democratic Congress managed to reshape key aspects of American society—but not without enormous resistance.
1. Marriage Equality: The Shift from State Battles to Federal Law
Before 2009, LGBTQ+ rights were still in a fragile, uncertain state. Many states had constitutional bans on same-sex marriage.
The Democratic-led push for equality helped set the stage for the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
This was not just a judicial decision—it was the culmination of legislative, legal, and cultural battles that had federal backing.
2. The Affordable Care Act (ACA): A Rare Large-Scale Social Policy Win
The ACA, or "Obamacare," was the largest expansion of healthcare in generations.
Despite its flaws, it provided coverage to millions who had previously been uninsured.
It was one of the last successful federal efforts to reduce wealth inequality and expand government protections in a way that reshaped everyday life.
3. Civil Rights Protections: Expanding Anti-Discrimination Laws
Obama’s Department of Justice and Democratic-led Congress enacted workplace and housing protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The administration ended Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, allowing LGBTQ+ people to serve openly in the military.
Federal agencies enforced anti-discrimination measures in employment, education, and healthcare.
4. Climate and Economic Policies: The Last Big Push Before Stagnation
The Obama administration led international climate agreements and imposed emissions regulations.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created to protect people from predatory banking and lending practices.
Economic recovery efforts helped stabilize the post-2008 economy, preventing a second Great Depression.
None of these changes were inevitable. They happened because there was a government willing and able to push them forward.
And then—progress stalled.
Why That Level of Change Feels Impossible Now
What happened? Why does it feel like progress has stopped, or even reversed?
1. The Right Wing’s Long Game Paid Off
The Supreme Court was remade. Conservative justices now control the Court, gutting the very rights that were secured just a decade ago.
State-level power shifted dramatically. Republican-controlled states have rolled back LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access, and voting rights.
Congress became structurally dysfunctional. The Senate filibuster and extreme partisanship now make it almost impossible to pass large-scale progressive policies.
2. The Democratic Party’s Strategy Changed
In the early 2010s, Democrats had a legislative agenda—they passed laws. Now, the party largely relies on judicial and executive actions, which are temporary and easily reversed.
There is less focus on major structural reforms (like universal healthcare or workers’ rights) and more on short-term defensive fights against right-wing policies.
The party has shifted from offense to defense, responding to crises rather than setting long-term goals.
3. The Political System Has Been Restructured to Prevent Change
Gerrymandering has locked in minority rule. Republicans control state governments even when they lose the popular vote.
The courts now block progressive policies before they can take effect.
Voter suppression laws have expanded, making it harder for marginalized groups to participate in elections.
This is not just political inertia—it is a systematic redesign of government to prevent progress.
How Fast Change Can Be Reversed
The shift from Obama-era progress to today’s regression shows how fragile rights and policies are under the current system.
Same-sex marriage was legalized federally, but states are already finding ways to limit protections.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, showing that even long-standing rights can disappear.
The Voting Rights Act was gutted, weakening federal oversight over voter suppression laws.
Climate regulations have been dismantled, rolling back years of environmental progress.
What took years of work to build can be undone in months.
The modern political system does not just slow progress—it actively works to reverse it.
The Bigger Lesson: What It Takes to Win Lasting Change
What happened in the early 2010s was a rare moment in modern U.S. history—a time when real progress was still possible. That moment ended because the structure of American politics has been fundamentally altered.
1. Courts Now Have More Power Than Congress
Obergefell legalized same-sex marriage, but today, progressive policies can’t even make it to Congress before courts strike them down.
The Supreme Court has become a legislative body of its own, deciding major national policies without elections or public input.
If laws are only passed through courts, they are easier to overturn.
2. Executive Orders Are Not a Substitute for Laws
Obama’s presidency relied heavily on executive actions, but these are easily undone by future administrations.
Biden has continued this strategy, issuing executive orders instead of passing new laws.
The problem? None of these changes are permanent. A single election can erase an entire administration’s policies.
3. The Right Understands Power—The Left Plays Catch-Up
Conservatives spent decades reshaping the courts, media, and state legislatures to ensure long-term influence.
Progressive wins were not defended with the same level of strategy.
The result? Short-term victories for progressives, but lasting institutional power for the right.
Until the left builds the same kind of deep, long-term infrastructure, real progressive change will always be temporary.
Conclusion: The Window for Change Is Smaller Than Ever
It was not that long ago that:
Marriage equality became federal law.
Millions gained healthcare for the first time.
Major civil rights protections were strengthened.
Now, even the smallest reforms face massive institutional resistance.
The past decade proves that progress is not guaranteed, and rights are not permanent. If the system is not fundamentally restructured, every victory will remain temporary.
The question is no longer what policies need to change—it is whether the U.S. government is still even capable of enacting change at all.
Sources
How Democrats Legalized Same-Sex Marriage: The Legislative and Judicial Fight – NPR
https://www.npr.org/sections/politics/2015/06/26/how-same-sex-marriage-was-legalized
The Obama Administration’s Legacy on Civil Rights and Social Policy – Brookings Institution
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/obama-administration-civil-rights
The Supreme Court’s Role in Reversing Progressive Policies – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/02/supreme-court-progressive-policies/
