Progressives 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.
That’s 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 chamber’s 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 party’s 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.
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http://thehill.com/homenews/house/395437-progressives-poised-to-shape-agenda-if-dems-take-back-house
= new reply since forum marked as read
help us win. 
GOTV goes without saying.
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, it’s the establishment wing of the Democratic Party that is having a good 2018. And, more important, it’s 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
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, it’s the establishment wing of the Democratic Party that is having a good 2018. And, more important, it’s 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
Hi there!! 