Scoop: House Democrats' infighting is poised to get even worse

2 hours ago7 min read1 comments

The Democratic party's carefully constructed facade of unity has shattered with the precision of a well-aimed political missile, and the shrapnel is flying in all directions. At the center of this self-inflicted crisis stands Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Washington Democrat whose surprise resolution of disapproval against Illinois Representative Chuy García has ignited what insiders describe as an escalating civil war within the party's ranks.This isn't merely a policy disagreement or a mild spat over procedure; this is raw, personal, and threatens to derail the Democratic agenda at a moment when leadership desperately needs cohesion. The battlefield extends beyond the House floor into the shadowy corridors where political futures are made and broken, with the Congressional Progressive Caucus now preparing a retaliatory strike that would accuse Gluesenkamp Perez of dishonesty about her campaign finance practices—specifically, whether she violated her much-publicized pledge to refuse corporate PAC donations.According to multiple sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing discussions, progressive members are crafting a resolution that would highlight reporting suggesting her campaign and PAC accepted funds from organizations including the American Petroleum Institute PAC and American Forest and Paper Association PAC, a direct counterpunch to her moralistic offensive against García. The strategic implications are profound: Gluesenkamp Perez's original resolution accused García of 'election subversion' for withdrawing his reelection bid just before Illinois' ballot deadline, thereby enabling his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, to become the sole Democratic candidate in a heavily Democratic district.García's defenders have mounted a vigorous defense, circulating talking points that emphasize his compliance with Illinois law and citing a last-minute health scare combined with family obligations that forced his withdrawal. But in the brutal theater of modern politics, explanations often matter less than perceptions, and the perception among many Democrats is that Gluesenkamp Perez has handed Republicans a potent weapon while distracting from substantive legislative priorities.The tension erupted publicly during Monday's session, where Democrats expressed their fury both in private huddles and public speeches. Representative Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, a prominent Progressive Caucus member, captured the sentiment of many when he told reporters, '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 communication breakdown highlights a deeper structural problem within the Democratic coalition—the growing chasm between its progressive and centrist wings, with Gluesenkamp Perez and fellow centrist Jared Golden of Maine breaking with their party to vote with Republicans against tabling the resolution, a move that signals potential future alliances that could reshape power dynamics. The failed leadership attempt to quash the resolution (206-211) sets up a Tuesday afternoon vote that now carries the weight of determining not just García's immediate political fate but the very soul of the Democratic party heading into a critical election cycle.Historical parallels abound—from the Tea Party rebellion that fractured Republican unity to the internal Democratic battles over the Vietnam War—but what makes this confrontation particularly dangerous is its timing, coming when the party hoped to present a united front on issues from healthcare to climate policy. The Gluesenkamp Perez gambit represents more than just one lawmaker's crusade; it's a manifestation of the ongoing identity crisis plaguing a party struggling to balance principle with pragmatism, with consequences that could echo through the 2026 midterms and beyond.

#House Democrats

#infighting

#Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

#Chuy Garcia

#disapproval resolution

#corporate PAC donations

#featured

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