Ryan Grim, the D.C. bureau chief for The Intercept, said on Tuesday that while the Congressional Progressive Caucus has not historically been a “significant organizing force,” it is adopting structural changes to more effectively implement progressive policies in 2021.
Grim explained that the caucus has expanded to nearly 100 members since it was founded by then-Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and a small group of other progressives in 1991.
“The thinking was that if you’re willing to be part of this caucus, then you must be an actual progressive. There’s just no other reason, no other benefit for you to be in it,” Grim explained on Hill.TV’s “Rising.”
“Now, calling yourself a progressive has serious electoral advantages back in your district, and so over the last decade or so you’ve seen the size of the caucus grow significantly, but you haven’t seen its power grow significantly, and you haven’t seen it become a significant organizing force,” the bureau chief added.
With the label “progressive” becoming more accepted among constituents, Grim said the caucus has submitted certain changes for approval, including moving from a two-chair to a one-chair structure, in order to more quickly move forward progressive legislation in the coming year.
Watch Grim’s interview above.
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