News

WASHINGTON — Today, the Congressional Progressive Caucus held a press conference introducing seven new members from across the country: Representatives-Elect LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), and Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03). Several additional potential new CPC members are awaiting results in their respective House races.

“As Chair of the Progressive Caucus, I am thrilled to welcome so many incredible new members from diverse districts across the country—both rural and urban, in red states and blue states alike,” said Chair Pramila Jayapal (WA-07). “These new members won the trust of voters by embracing popular, populist economic policies, speaking directly to the working class, and rejecting corporate money. In this freshman class alone, we have the first trans member of Congress; an engineer from an immigrant community in the San Fernando Valley; the first Iranian American Democrat in Congress; the youngest member ever elected to the House from New Jersey; and more trailblazing public servants. We have a tough fight ahead, but I know these members are up to it. Together, our Caucus will be ferocious defenders of the working class and poor people, of inclusion and our right to be fully who we are in all its diversity and beauty. We will stand up for justice, peace, and equality. We will not allow the hateful architects of Project 2025 to run amok. I look forward to welcoming these progressive champions—and hopefully several more—to the Capitol in the new year.”

“To win, our Democratic Party needs to be very clear about who we’re for and who we’re against — we have to stand up against Wall Street, against the billionaires, against corruption. That’s why the Congressional Progressive Caucus is so important. We are unafraid of standing up for working people against special interests,” said Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas), CPC Whip. “With these new Members, we’ll fight against right-wing extremism and for all working people’s freedoms.”

"As an educator and the youngest person ever sent to Congress from New Jersey, the people of our 10th District sent me here to make real change for them and for working people nationwide—that work now is as important as ever," said Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10). "On everything from pushing for more affordable housing to supporting stronger schools to ensuring healthcare as a human right, I know that our Progressive Caucus will lead the way on policies that make people's lives better and push back against threats that leave people worse off. I'm excited to stand side-by-side with my new colleagues today and to work side-by-side with them in the years ahead."

"I am honored to represent New Jersey’s Ninth Congressional District in Congress. Having served in the state legislature, I am committed to delivering for my district and building coalitions, which will be crucial in this closely divided House. There is strength in unity,” said Rep.-Elect Nellie Pou (NJ-09). “My priorities include creating good-paying jobs, lowering costs for families, combating climate change—which has increased flooding in our district—and defending freedoms, including every woman’s right to make her own health care choices. I look forward to working with the Congressional Progressive Caucus in the 119th Congress to serve northern New Jersey with determination and purpose."

"It's an honor to be joining the Congressional Progressive Caucus and following in the footsteps of the great Ron Dellums and Barbara Lee in representing one of the most progressive districts in the country,” said Rep.-Elect Lateefah Simon (CA-12). My constituents sent me to Washington to continue their legacy of service on behalf of working families, black and brown folks, and the most vulnerable members of our community. I'm ready to fight for our East Bay progressive values, and you can bet I'm going to fight hard." 

"As the first Latina to represent the 29th Congressional District in the San Fernando Valley, I am proud to join the Congressional Progressive Caucus - alongside my freshman colleagues - to advocate for immigrant rights, environmental justice, strengthen labor protections forworking families, and fight for our Democratic values," said Rep.-Elect Luz Rivas (CA-29). "As we enter the 119th Congress, we have strength in our unity and power in our movement to create progressive change. I thank the leadership of the Caucus, advocates, coalitions, and supporters for all their work on the ground to support progressive policies and I look forward to our continued partnership ahead."  

“In Congress I’ll fight for working people by taking on the biggest challenges we face,” said Representative-elect Laura Friedman. “We must lower housing costs, protect and expand access to quality, affordable healthcare and continue to make progress against climate change. Practical progressive policies can address these challenges and improve the lives of all Americans and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance our shared goals.”

“Today, I’m proud to join the Congressional Progressive Caucus as the Representative-Elect for Delaware,” said Rep.-Elect Sarah McBride. “In Delaware, we passed paid family and medical leave, raised the minimum wage and passed historic investment into our state’s Medicaid program. In Congress, I’ll work arm-in-arm with my colleagues to protect our progress as a nation and to build an economy that works for all of us.” 

“As the youngest woman to serve in this Congress, I feel a certain responsibility to the younger generation that has helped me get elected,” said Rep.-Elect Yassamin Ansari. “Throughout this election and really throughout the last decade, I have felt a profound urgency in these unprecedented times - When our time to take action on climate is quickly unraveling, when our democracy is at risk, when our economy isn’t working for so many Americans.  The fight to win back Democratic majority in all three branches of government begins right now and it will be won by fighting hardest for people who are depending on us.

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Barbara Lee (CA-12), James P. McGovern (MA-02), and Greg Casar (TX-35) issued the below statement following press reports regarding possible U.S. participation in an offensive strike on Iran:  

“Let us be clear: we strongly condemn Iran’s reprehensible launch of ballistic missiles into Israel. Military force will not solve the challenge posed by Iran. We need meaningful de-escalation and diplomacy—not a wider war. Addressing the root causes are the only route to achieving long-term security and stability in the region. Nothing in current law authorizes the United States to conduct offensive military action against Iran. We risk becoming entangled in another catastrophic war that will inevitably harm innocent civilians and may cost billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars.

“As progressives, we have been consistent in our support for diplomacy and following the law in complying with congressional war powers. We supported President Obama’s landmark nuclear diplomacy, which successfully limited Iran’s nuclear program multilaterally before it was sabotaged by President Trump’s misguided ‘maximum pressure’ strategy. Similarly, we rejected Trump’s reckless push for war and passed bipartisan legislation through both chambers of Congress to prevent unauthorized U.S. force against Iran, following the reckless assassination of Iranian General Soleimani.”

WASHINGTON — Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC); and Barbara Lee (CA-12), CPC Chair Emeritus and Peace and Security Task Force Chair, issued the following statement on recent developments in the Middle East:

“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing number of civilian deaths in the latest bombings in Lebanon as well as new missile fire preventing thousands from returning to their homes in northern Israel. We have long warned of the dangers of escalating violence in the region, which has killed U.S. service members and harmed communities across the Middle East. 

“This cycle of violence will not make anyone more secure. As world leaders convene for the UN General Assembly, we were heartened to hear President Biden reiterate a commitment to diplomacy – that is the best path toward a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon. The American people have made clear they do not want another war in the Middle East and we must use our leverage with regional actors to de-escalate regional tensions and prevent further violence from erupting. As Members of Congress, we also reaffirm our solemn responsibility to ensure that any use of U.S. force be brought first for a vote before Congress, consistent with the Constitution.”

WASHINGTON — Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) issued the following statement applauding the newly released results of drug price negotiations between Medicare and pharmaceutical companies, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act:

“Progressives in Congress and the Biden-Harris administration share a fundamental belief: health care is a human right, and no American should go broke or get sick because they can’t afford proper treatment. Two years ago, we took historic action towards that goal by taking on Big Pharma and passing the Inflation Reduction Act, landmark legislation that authorized the government to negotiate lower drug prices on behalf of working people. Today, the transformative impact of that deal—and the hard work progressives did to make it happen—is becoming clear.

“Thanks to the IRA, the new prices negotiated by Medicare will save millions of seniors and other beneficiaries $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in the first year of the program alone - while saving taxpayers $6 billion. Thanks to a newly empowered Medicare, after two decades of overpaying for the basic medicine that people need to treat common ailments like diabetes, blood clots, and arthritis, these savings will provide critical relief to people’s loved ones and family members.

“Years of progressive advocacy have led to this win, from demanding the House pass a bold drug pricing negotiation bill in the 116th Congress to holding the line during reconciliation negotiations in the 117th. But we’re just getting started. Our Caucus will continue standing up to corporate interests to lower health care costs, allow for the negotiation of every prescription drug, and ensure that in the richest nation in the world, all people have access to quality health care.”