General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy isn't Elizabeth Warren a progressive?
The Congressional Progressive Caucus only has one senator as a member, and it's Bernie Sanders. Not Warren, not Tammy Baldwin (who was a member when she was in the House), not Sherrod Brown (ditto), not Mazie Hirono (ditto), not Ed Markey (ditto), not Al Franken.
It would certainly help counter myths of "center-right America" if our progressive senators would proudly identify as such. It's not like Dem senators can't be members -- Wellstone was. What's up with this?
northoftheborder
(7,572 posts)djean111
(14,255 posts)It is a shame, but I think that is it.
leveymg
(36,418 posts)Progressive Caucus is the next thing to wearing a Bolshevik Hat on the Floor of the Senate. Thatz why.
brooklynite
(94,541 posts)The real answer is: there's no such thing as a Senate Caucus, and there's no such official thing as a House Caucus. Caucuses are informal groups of House members focused on an issue or ideological group. If Bernie Sanders chooses to show up at their meetings and call himself a member, that's his choice, but basically, NO Senator is a member of ANY caucus.
Proud Public Servant
(2,097 posts)And I'm afraid yours isn't it. House rules governing Congression Member Organizations (the technical term for caususes) state explicitly:
So while there's no Senate caucuses, senatorial participation in caucuses is possible, provided for, and has historical precedent. Why aren't other progressive senators following Sanders (or Paul Wellstone's) example?
EDIT: Actually, your answer isn't just unhelpful, it's factually incorrect. There are seven Democratic senators who are members of the New Democratic Coalition (a DLC-ish caucus), one of the 3 Dem caucuses in Congress. There are also five GOP senators who are members of the tea party caucus. So when you say, "NO Senator is a member of ANY caucus," that's just plain wrong.