New Leadership Elected for the Congressional Progressive Caucus

In light of the disconcerting losses, members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus have chosen new leaders to guide the caucus through this period of doubt and instability within the Democratic Party.

The newly elected team, introduced at a press conference on December 5, will be chaired by Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) serving as deputy chair and Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.) appointed as whip.

Following the Republican victories on November 5, which resulted in the GOP gaining control over the White House and both chambers of Congress, many Democrats are still grappling with the fallout.

Casar attributed the party’s setbacks to a shift to the right among working-class voters, stating his commitment to re-engaging these constituents and bringing them “back into the fold.”

“For decades, working-class people and the entire nation viewed the Democratic Party as a champion for their interests,” Casar remarked.

He noted that this shift toward the right started during the era of the Tea Party.

“The Progressive Caucus aims to restore our ‘working people first’ image to the Democratic Party,” Casar stated.

According to exit polls from NBC News, President-elect Donald Trump was the favored candidate among voters with household incomes below $100,000, capturing 56 percent of votes from individuals without a college degree.

Casar emphasized that increasing pay for working individuals must be a primary focus for Democrats seeking to win back voters.

“This is essential for us to secure victories across all parts of the country, regardless of geography, race, or ideology, while standing firmly against injustice and oppression,” he stated.

Casar succeeds Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who has led the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the past six years, initially as co-chair and then as chair. During her tenure, the caucus grew to more than 100 members.

“Even in the wake of our November losses, we see a clear pathway forward,” Jayapal noted, advocating for renewed initiatives to raise the minimum wage and implement universal childcare and affordable housing measures.

“We must focus intently on demonstrating to people how their lives will significantly improve as they consider their family’s future,” she added.

On the defensive side, Jayapal stated that the caucus would continue to advocate as progressives traditionally have, opposing the president-elect’s agenda, which may include cuts to Medicare and Social Security benefits.

Despite Trump’s repeated assurances to protect Medicare and Social Security benefits, his tax proposals aim to make the tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent and to exempt tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits from taxation.

Another core component of Trump’s platform included a commitment to combat illegal immigration through “the largest deportation operation in American history.”

In relation to this issue, Casar acknowledged that Democrats must craft a more persuasive narrative if they hope to achieve a comprehensive and humane immigration solution.