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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsProgressives poised to shape agenda if Dems take back House
Progressives poised to shape agenda if Dems take back House
By Melanie Zanona - 07/04/18 06:01 PM EDT
Move over, House Freedom Caucus. Progressive lawmakers are poised to play a pivotal role in the next Congress if Democrats take back the House in November.
Thats because a dozen members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) are in line to chair congressional committees, which would give the left-leaning group immense power to influence the chambers legislative agenda and strengthen their hand as chief antagonists to President Trump.
The stunning primary victory of self-described democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) has also opened up a coveted spot at the leadership table, bolstering the argument that progressives should have more representation in the partys top ranks.
Some congressional observers are predicting that congressional progressives could emerge as the liberal equivalent of the House Freedom Caucus, a group that has been highly effectively at pushing the GOP further to the right by banding together as a conservative voting bloc.
The Freedom Caucus, a group of roughly 30 conservative rabble-rousers, was launched in the years following the 2010 tea party wave that swept the Republicans back into power on Capitol Hill.
Now, many members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus believe their political star is on the rise, with some election experts predicting a blue wave this fall, largely fueled by anti-Trump energy on the left.
The CPC has 76 voting members in the House, and the caucus is expecting to add more lawmakers to its ranks next year after endorsing 28 candidates, like Ocasio-Cortez, this election cycle.
Some of the key issues the CPC has been championing include Medicare for all, free college tuition, lower prescription drug costs, criminal justice reform and a massive infrastructure program.
Several progressive lawmakers are in prime positions to advance legislation in those areas if Democrats win the House in the midterm elections.
more...
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/395437-progressives-poised-to-shape-agenda-if-dems-take-back-house
still_one
(91,965 posts)unless that happens, this is just meaningless speculation
babylonsister
(170,963 posts)help us win.
GOTV goes without saying.
still_one
(91,965 posts)Cha
(295,929 posts)more.
"What about those other 19 primaries, where the establishment Democrat won? There are a lot more congressional battlegrounds in that group, 11 in total, including 5 true tossups."
snip// from your link..
But the stories this week about the surprising power of the left side of the party may have overstated the case a bit.
Going by the numbers, its the establishment wing of the Democratic Party that is having a good 2018. And, more important, its having a good year in the places that matter most this November.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/bernie-sanders-backed-nominees-score-wins-longshot-races-n888071
Good ol' Established Dems
RSF https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10822252
babylonsister
(170,963 posts)Demsrule86
(68,352 posts)majority in the Senate. Thus, you need to consider what is possible...let's not have unreasonable expectations. Let's get stuff done...when Don the Con is gone...and hopefully we have all three branches of government...until then we shut down judges (if we take the Senate) and there won't be any more Republican shit passed.
babylonsister
(170,963 posts)Cha
(295,929 posts)more.
"What about those other 19 primaries, where the establishment Democrat won? There are a lot more congressional battlegrounds in that group, 11 in total, including 5 true tossups."
snip// from your link..
But the stories this week about the surprising power of the left side of the party may have overstated the case a bit.
Going by the numbers, its the establishment wing of the Democratic Party that is having a good 2018. And, more important, its having a good year in the places that matter most this November.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/bernie-sanders-backed-nominees-score-wins-longshot-races-n888071
Good ol' Established Dems
RSF https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10822252
still_one
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)This liberal yet non progressive if pulling for all of them and where possible donating to all of them.
I am happy when a progressive wins like the recent NY victory. My beef is when progressives support people like Grayson challenging a good liberal like Soto in a highly competitive district adjacent to mine. If the progressive wins the primary we lose the seat. That is just fucked up.
We have to act strategically.
Demsrule86
(68,352 posts)I hope to God we get the Senate and stop judges...that would be huge...not just SCOTUS, Trump is packing the lower courts too.
AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)... being elbowed out of leadership positions. The Democrats need a fresh bold progressive agenda to take back the House.