The House passed one bill that drew fiery opposition and another that won nearly the entire chamber's support during session Monday.

The former, a bill to ban abortion on the basis of a Down syndrome diagnosis, touched on a partisan wedge issue. The latter, having high school students take a civics test at some point before graduation, was a far easier sell.

While hundreds of citizens gathered today in the rotunda, hosting signs with white knights slaying a dragon labeled “gerrymander” and chanting “this is what democracy looks like,” the object of their desires — politically independent redistricting — was poised to undergo some negotiations.

House State Government Committee Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) said Monday he expected to meet with his Senate counterpart Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) that night to discuss the farthest-reaching and widest supported redistricting bills — HB 722 and SB 22.

Rep. Mark Mustio has introduced House Bill 2241 which preempts local taxation of sweetened beverages in PA, and prohibits any other taxes on food, drinks and even food containers to be taxed in the future.

Sponsored by Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill), HB 1659 requires the Department of Human Services seek approval from the General Assembly before asking for a work requirement waiver for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).