Plotting in the Swamp: Democrats Prepare for Possible House Majority

The midterm elections are just days away, and House Democrats are champing at the bit. Both progressives and “moderates” have already begun discussing their agendas and how they will implement them if the party takes control of the lower chamber next year.

With major factions of the party already making moves to determine its future, a showdown appears unavoidable.

Progressive Plotting

Far-left Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois warned there’s “going to be some real tension” if Democrats take the House “because we have to move.” “Preserving perfect relationships with colleagues who don’t feel the urgency the way that some of us feel it because we live it every day isn’t my top priority. Protecting people is,” Ramirez added.

Ramirez is already mentoring candidates expected to win their midterm races, including New York’s Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez, as well as Colorado’s Melat Kiros.

Ramirez isn’t the only House progressive working with likely newcomers: Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, the Congressional Progressive Caucus chair, and other far-left leaders, like Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, hosted a retreat last month to discuss a “wishlist,” according to Politico. That “wishlist” almost certainly includes abolishing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ending all US aid to Israel, and passing universal health care.

Politico reported that in at least one session, Medicare for All was the topic of discussion, with the participants strategizing on how they could push for a committee vote and a fiscal estimate from the Congressional Budget Office to “build momentum around the issue ahead of a possible post-2028 Democratic trifecta.”

Moderate Maneuvering

Democrats who aren’t quite as far left as the progressive wing are reportedly worried that infighting within the party could jeopardize the reelection chances of incumbents in purple districts. Moderate groups like the New Democrat Coalition, Blue Dog Caucus, and Problem Solvers Caucus are planning to “serve as a counterweight to the left,” Politico reported.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said he is considering “concrete steps to stop socialists trying to jam the extremist parts of their agenda.” He added:

“Just like with the progressives, there have been conversations among moderates about our policy priorities, with a clear proactive agenda. As expected, there will be policy red lines that are too extreme and out of step with our democratic values. Many of us are already talking to each [sic] about the importance of countering those extremist positions and focusing on issues more representative of the majority of Americans.”

Gottheimer insisted Democrats have “plenty of issues” that most agree on, but acknowledged “there are places where you’ll see tension.”

Socialist Strategizing

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has been having a bit of a moment, to say the least. The DSA has backed 10 general-election candidates who are running for the US House, and it’s already creating unease among the more moderate Democrats. “There is a lot of angst among some moderates about this DSA faction and squad expansion,” said a senior moderate Democratic operative. The size of the majority, the operative noted, will undoubtedly play a major role in how the future unfolds for House Democrats. If there’s one thing they all agree on, though, it’s that tensions between the party’s factions are basically inevitable.