Congressional Progressive Caucus

The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is a caucus in the Democratic congressional caucus in the United States Congress.[6] The CPC is a left-leaning organization that works to advance progressive and liberal issues and positions.[7]

Co-ChairsMark Pocan
Pramila Jayapal
First Vice ChairRo Khanna
WhipIlhan Omar
Vice ChairsSheila Jackson Lee, Veronica Escobar, Ruben Gallego, Mark Takano, Debbie Dingell, David Cicilline, Joe Neguse, Jan Schakowsky, Donald Norcross
IdeologyProgressivism[1]
Modern liberalism[2]
Social democracy[3]
Political positionLeft-wing[4]
National affiliationDemocratic Party
Colors     Blue
Seats in the Senate
1 / 100
Seats in House Democratic Caucus
95 / 235
[5]
Seats in the House
95 / 435
Website
cpc-grijalva.house.gov

In the 116th United States Congress, the CPC has 98 members, making it the second largest caucus within the Democratic Party and the third largest caucus in Congress. The CPC is currently co-chaired by U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).

History

The CPC was created in 1991 by six members of the United States House of Representatives: U.S. Representatives Ron Dellums (D-CA), Lane Evans (D-IL), Thomas Andrews (D-ME), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). More House Members joined shortly after, including Major Owens (D-NY), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), David Bonior (D-MI), Bob Filner (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Patsy Mink (D-HI), George Miller (D-CA), Pete Stark (D-CA), John Olver (D-MA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Sanders was the convener and first CPC Chairman. Bill Goold was Staff Coordinator for the Progressive Caucus in its early years until 1998.

Budget proposal for 2012

In April 2011, the Congressional Progressive Caucus released a proposed "People's Budget" for fiscal year 2012.[8] Two of its supporters said: "By having a fair tax code, by building a strong American economy, and by bringing our troops home, we achieve a budget surplus of over $30 billion by 2021 and we end up with a debt that is less than 65% of our GDP. This is what sustainability looks like".[9]

Electoral results

Senate

Election year Overall seats Democratic seats Independent seats ±
2010
2 / 100
1 / 51
1 / 2
2012
1 / 100
0 / 53
1 / 2
−1
2014
1 / 100
0 / 44
1 / 2
2016
1 / 100
0 / 46
1 / 2
2018
1 / 100
0 / 45
1 / 2

House of Representatives

Election year Overall seats Democratic seats ±
2010
77 / 435
77 / 193
2012
68 / 435
68 / 200
−9
2014
68 / 435
68 / 188
2016
78 / 435
78 / 193
+10
2018
95 / 435
95 / 235
+17

Membership

All members are members of the Democratic Party or caucus with the Democratic Party. In the 116th Congress, there are 97 declared Progressives, including 95 voting Representatives, one non-voting Delegate and one Senator.

House members

 
Congressional Progressive Caucus from the United States House of Representatives in the 117th United States Congress

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nevada

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Tennessee

Texas

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

Non-voting

Senate members

Former members

Congressional Progressive Caucus Media

References

  1. "What is CPC?". Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  2. "Ellison Offers Progressive View Of Debt Deal". NPR. August 1, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2017. Congressional Progressive Caucus — the liberal wing of the Democratic Party in the House
  3. Raza, Syed Ali (2012), Social Democratic System, Global Peace Trust, p. 91
  4. Cunningham, Vinson (February 19, 2017). "Will Keith Ellison Move the Democrats Left?". The New Yorker (Condé Nast). https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/02/27/will-keith-ellison-move-the-democrats-left/amp. Retrieved March 14, 2018. 
  5. "Congressional Progressive Caucus: Caucus Members". cpc-grijalva.house.gov/caucus-members/ (Retrieved:February 23, 2019)
  6. "Congressional Progressive Caucus: Caucus Members". house.gov.
  7. About the CPC Archived 2009-01-30 at the Wayback Machine, CPC Website, accessed Oct 8, 2009
  8. "The People's Budget" (PDF). Congressional Progressive Caucus. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2011. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
  9. Honda, Michael; Grijalva, Raul (April 11, 2011), "The only real Democratic budget", The Hill, retrieved March 24, 2018
  10. "Congressional Progressive Caucus".