House Democrats' infighting is poised to get even worse.

2 hours ago7 min read2 comments

The Democratic party's carefully constructed facade of unity has shattered with startling speed, revealing a civil war simmering just beneath the surface. Congressional Progressive Caucus members are now preparing a retaliatory strike against Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Washington Democrat who rocked the party establishment last week by unexpectedly introducing a resolution of disapproval against Illinois Representative Chuy García.This isn't just a minor policy disagreement; it's a deeply personal political assault that has lawmakers fuming both in private discussions off the House floor and in public speeches within the chamber. The specific retaliatory measure being privately discussed would accuse Perez of lying about her commitment to refusing corporate PAC donations, pointing to reporting that her campaign and PAC allegedly accepted funds from groups like the American Petroleum Institute PAC and the American Forest and Paper Association PAC.This escalation turns what was already a nasty internal spat into a full-blown character contest, with Progressive Caucus members signaling they're ready to fight fire with fire. The origins of this conflict trace back to Gluesenkamp Perez's resolution, which directly calls out García for withdrawing his bid for reelection just before Illinois' ballot filing deadline, a move that allowed his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, to become the sole Democrat running for the heavily Democratic seat.Gluesenkamp Perez's resolution uses strikingly harsh language, accusing García of actions 'beneath the dignity of his office and incompatible with the spirit of the United States Constitution' and labeling them 'election subversion. ' This represents a remarkable breach of congressional decorum, where such direct confrontations between members of the same party are typically handled through private channels rather than public resolutions.García and his allies have mounted a vigorous defense, arguing he planned to run for reelection until a last-minute health scare, family obligations, and pleas from his wife and doctor forced his hand. Messaging guidance circulated by García's office emphasizes that he 'followed all requirements and deadlines under Illinois law' and characterizes the motion as a 'ploy that our opponents will use for their own gain' that 'creates distraction and divisiveness among Democrats' at a time when unity is crucial.The situation exposes the deepening ideological rifts within the Democratic coalition, pitting centrists like Gluesenkamp Perez and her close ally Jared Golden of Maine against the progressive wing. The fact that both broke with their party to vote with Republicans against a motion to table the resolution—a motion that failed 206-211—demonstrates how these internal divisions are creating unexpected voting alliances that transcend party lines.This isn't merely about one resolution; it's about the fundamental direction of the Democratic party and the limits of internal dissent. As Representative Mark Pocan, a prominent Progressive Caucus member from Wisconsin, noted with palpable frustration, 'She should've just picked up the phone and called him.He's got some really good personal reasons why it happened the way it did. She probably would not have introduced it if she just did that.' This sentiment echoes throughout the caucus, where many view the public airing of grievances as damaging to collective Democratic interests. The timing couldn't be worse for party leadership, which had hoped for a week focused on presenting a united front against Republican initiatives.Instead, they're managing what Representative Joe Morelle of New York described as 'local politics' that 'doesn't have a place here' when 'we have all these other issues in the world we have to deal with. ' The impending vote on whether to pass Gluesenkamp Perez's resolution promises to force every House Democrat to take a public stand in this internal conflict, creating a recorded vote that will undoubtedly be used by primary challengers and opposition researchers in future election cycles. What began as a dispute over ballot access procedures in Illinois has rapidly evolved into a proxy war over the soul of the Democratic party, with consequences that will reverberate long after Tuesday's vote.

#House Democrats

#infighting

#reprisal

#corruption allegations

#election subversion

#featured

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