Progressive House caucus grows to record size after midterm wins
The caucus plans to push the incoming Democratic majority left, with Medicare for All and worker protections among its priorities.
Key points
- More than 25 new lawmakers are set to join the Congressional Progressive Caucus, according to The Guardian
- Membership would rise past 105, compared with 100 in the previous session
- Six of nine endorsed candidates in competitive races won, some in seats Trump had carried
- The centrist New Democrat Coalition is also expected to expand by about 39 members
On Sunday, the Congressional Progressive Caucus announced that more than 25 lawmakers are joining it in the next session. According to The Guardian, membership will climb past 105. Before this, the group counted 100 members in the previous session.
The most striking feature of the growth is the number of winners in Republican-leaning constituencies, which is a record. The caucus backed nine candidates in contests where a seat could flip from red to blue. Six of them prevailed, among them candidates running in seats that had previously gone to Trump.
Randy Villegas took a California district where Trump had won by two points in 2024. Texas was the setting for Katy Padilla Stout’s win, a margin of eight points in a constituency where Trump had earned a 15-point lead. Sam Forstag prevailed in Montana, a state Trump carried by 11. Both Villegas and Padilla Stout are due to join the caucus.
Medicare for All and other priorities
A large share of the newcomers ran on a platform of Medicare for All, better safeguards for employees, and a halt to American weapons and military aid for Israel, citing the war and conduct in Gaza. Progressive leaders argue that the midterm outcome shows voters favour candidates offering far-reaching reform.
Casar stated that the caucus intends to put legislation on pay levels, graft, shelter costs, interest on credit cards, and care for children before the chamber for a vote. He said he was not concerned about presidential rejections of bills. Pramila Jayapal, the caucus’s chair emeritus, said the group will send members out to campaign for Medicare for All in places such as South Carolina and Florida.
Six Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates also secured House seats in heavily Democratic districts. Several appeared at the press conference, including Chris Rabb of Pennsylvania, who presented himself as someone who seeks to connect different sides.
Other groups also growing
The progressives are not the only bloc expanding. The centrist New Democrat Coalition, which already had 114 members, is projected to gain roughly 39, with 30 coming from seats that switched parties. The centrist thinktank Third Way said candidates backed by moderate groups flipped 31 Republican-held seats.
Membership between the two blocs is partly shared, yet the centrists’ expansion is centred on competitive districts. Democrats will hold both chambers when the new session opens in January.
Open questions on leadership
Casar avoided saying whether the caucus will support Hakeem Jeffries as speaker, noting that each lawmaker will cast a personal ballot. So far, none of the incoming DSA-backed members has pledged support for Jeffries.
Casar added that the group will coordinate with party leaders on a path that honours the pledges made to voters during the campaign, spanning from moderate to progressive positions. How much influence the left has over the Democrats’ plans hinges on the voting choices of incoming lawmakers, both in the speaker contest and afterward.
Frequently asked questions
How many members will the Congressional Progressive Caucus have?
According to The Guardian, more than 25 lawmakers are joining the group, which would lift its total past 105. Before this, it counted 100 members.
Did progressive candidates win seats in Republican-leaning districts?
Yes. Six of the nine candidates the caucus endorsed in close races where a seat could switch from red to blue came out ahead, some in districts Trump had previously won.
Will the progressive caucus back Hakeem Jeffries for speaker?
Chair Greg Casar has not committed. He says each member will vote individually, and none of the incoming DSA-backed members has pledged support for Jeffries yet.
Sources
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