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The '''Congressional Progressive Caucus''' is an informal alliance of 77 liberal and left Congressmen in the U.S. House. They push for liberal revisions of major laws, but have been frustrated in 2009 because the Democrats need the support of the more conservative [[Blue Dog]] Democrats pass to pass legislation in the face of near 100% Republican opposition.  [[File:Prog-caucus.jpg|thumb|450px]]

The '''Congressional Progressive Caucus''' (CPC) was founded in 1991 by [[Bernie Sanders]] -- the openly [[socialist]] then Congressman from [[Vermont]], [[Democratic Socialists of America]] (DSA) and the radical [[Washington DC]] based "[[think tank]]" [[Institute for Policy Studies]] (IPS). The Congressional Progressive Caucus is an informal alliance of 77 [[liberal]] and left [[Congress]]men in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]]. They push for liberal revisions of major laws, but have been frustrated in 2009 because the [[Democrat]]s need the support of the more [[conservative]] [[Blue Dog]] Democrats pass to pass [[legislation]] in the face of near 100% [[Republican]] opposition.  [[File:Prog-caucus.jpg|thumb|450px]]. Many members were and continue to be linked to DSA and/or the [[Communist Party USA]], IPS or other radical organizations.

 

==Members==

==Members==

The cochairs are Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona and Lynn Woolsey of California. Most members represent big city districts, especially in the Northeast and West Coast. Most were elected by landslides and do not have to worry about reelection. Since the term "liberal" is out of fashion, they use "progressive." The Caucus was founded in 1991. No Republican has ever belonged.

The cochairs are Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva of [[Arizona]] and [[Lynn Woolsey]] of ][[California]]. Most members represent big city districts, especially in the Northeast and [[Left coast|West Coast]]. Most were elected by landslides and do not have to worry about reelection. Since the term "liberal" is out of fashion, they use "progressive." The Caucus was founded in 1991. No Republican has ever belonged.

The Progressive Caucus overlaps heavily with the [[Congressional Black Caucus]] (which refuses to allow any white members).

The Progressive Caucus overlaps heavily with the [[Congressional Black Caucus]] (which refuses to allow any white members).

==Power==

==Power==

Many powerful committee and subcommittee chairs belong; Speaker [[Nancy Pelosi]] was a member until she became party leader.

Many powerful committee and subcommittee chairs belong; Speaker [[Nancy Pelosi]] was a member until she became party leader.

Influential members include:

Influential members include:

* Bob Brady (Penn.) - Chairman, House Administration Committee  

* [[Bob Brady]] (Penn.) - Chairman, House Administration Committee  

* Barney Frank (Mass.)- Chairman, House Financial Services Committee  

* [[Barney Frank]] (Mass.)- Chairman, House Financial Services Committee  

* Bob Filner (Calif.)- Chairman, House Veterans Affairs Committee  

* [[Bob Filner]] (Calif.)- Chairman, House Veterans Affairs Committee  

* Barbara Lee (Calif.)- Chairwoman, Congressional Black Caucus  

* [[Barbara Lee]] (Calif.)- Chairwoman, Congressional Black Caucus  

* George Miller (Calif.)- Chairman, House Education and Labor Committee  

* [[George Miller]] (Calif.)- Chairman, House Education and Labor Committee  

* Charles Rangel (NY) - Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee

* [[Charles Rangel]] (NY) - Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee

* Louise Slaughter (NY)- Chairwoman, House Rules Committee  

* [[Louise Slaughter]] (NY)- Chairwoman, House Rules Committee  

* Bennie Thompson (Miss.) - Chairman, House Homeland Security Committee  

* [[Bennie Thompson]] (Miss.) - Chairman, House Homeland Security Committee  

* Nydia Velazquez (NY) - Chairwoman, House Small Business Committee  

* [[Nydia Velazquez]] (NY) - Chairwoman, House Small Business Committee  

* Henry Waxman (Calif.)- Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Committee

* [[Henry Waxman]] (Calif.)- Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Committee

 

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/ official caucus website]

* [http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/ official caucus website]

* [http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6497 DiscoverTheNetworks], conservative guide

* [http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6497 DiscoverTheNetworks], conservative guide

* [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/us/politics/18liberal.html Clark Hulse, "Frustrated Liberal Lawmaker Balances Beliefs and Politics," ''New York Times'' Oct. 19, 2009], profile of  Rep.  Earl Blumenauer of Oregon on the failures of the Progressive caucus in 2009

* [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/us/politics/18liberal.html Clark Hulse, "Frustrated Liberal Lawmaker Balances Beliefs and Politics," ''New York Times'' Oct. 19, 2009], profile of  Rep.  Earl Blumenauer of Oregon on the failures of the Progressive caucus in 2009

[[Category:Liberals]]

[[Category:Liberals]]

[[Category:Obama Presidency]]

[[Category:Obama Presidency]]