Progressive Power In The House

by: Chris Bowers

Tue Jan 06, 2009 at 22:12

Liberal Democrats begin the new session at a high-water mark in the House. Democratic aides say liberals account for more than half of the party's 257 seats and will wield gavels on nearly two-thirds of the 21 full committees.(...)

"It's going to be a progressive Congress. There's no doubt about that. It's been a long time coming,'' said Obey, whose office resembles a shrine to the glory days of progressivism, including a photo of Sen. Robert M. LaFollette of Wisconsin (1906-1925), the hero of progressives.(...)

The Congressional Progressive Caucus, with a projected membership of more than 80 - 75 current members and an expected small batch of freshman recruits - has pushed for a $1 trillion economic recovery package that includes a refundable child tax credit and worker training funds.

The liberals say they can also count on support from some House Democrats who aren't part of the Progressive Caucus.

The article also explains how organizing rules of the U.S. House were changed in order to allow committee chairs to serve more than three terms. This will overwhelmingly benefit progressives, who wield most of the current committee chairs.

Is this the end of the working conservative majority? At least in the House it certainly is. This is why I am so excited to start to work on passing legislation instead of just opposing it. We can really pass some good stuff through the House now.

Of course, anything good that does happen in the House will be due to Matt Stoller. It will be impossible to draw any other conclusion.