The Congressional Progressive Caucus announced it will expand to more than 105 members in the incoming Congress, including a record number of lawmakers who won in Republican-leaning districts. The caucus grew by more than 25 new members, with the organization’s leadership highlighting that six of nine candidates it endorsed in competitive races flipped from Republican control, including districts previously carried by Trump.
Progressive leaders characterized the midterm results as validation of their policy agenda. Caucus chair Greg Casar stated that “progressive ideas won that election” and pledged to advance legislative priorities including Medicare for All, worker protections, and ending U.S. military support for Israel’s operations in Gaza. Pramila Jayapal, the caucus’s chair emerita, expressed surprise at the magnitude of support for candidates running on Medicare for All in challenging races, and indicated the caucus plans to promote the healthcare proposal in Republican-leaning states including South Carolina and Florida.
However, the centrist New Democrat Coalition is also expanding significantly, adding approximately 39 members concentrated in swing districts. The Third Way think tank argued that moderate candidates “delivered” the Democratic majority, noting that candidates backed by centrist and moderate Democratic groups flipped 31 Republican-held seats. The two blocs overlap in membership but represent different strategic approaches and electoral bases.
Casar indicated the progressive caucus would advance bills addressing wages, corruption, housing costs, credit card interest rates, and child care, stating “the best way to not get something into law is to never pass it.” When asked about supporting Hakeem Jeffries for speaker, Casar declined to commit, saying individual members would vote according to their own judgment and that the caucus would seek direction aligned with campaign promises. Three incoming progressive House Democrats already used their new platform to advocate for Palestinian journalist Abed Abu Shehadeh’s release following his detention in Israel on election night, with his case resolved without charges.
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