Briahna Joy Gray: Progressives should celebrate budget passage, remain focused on fight

Briahna Joy Gray, former national press secretary for Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) 2020 presidential campaign, said that progressives had “a moment of victory” early Wednesday when Senate Democrats approved a budget resolution moving forward a sweeping spending package but said leaders should also remain “clear-eyed” on enacting their goals into law. 

In an interview on Hill.TV’s “Rising,” Gray highlighted the components of the $3.5 trillion spending package backed by Senate Democrats, including proposing an expansion to Medicare to include dental, hearing and vision coverage. 

However, Gray said it is “incredibly important not to lose sight of all the things Joe Biden can do by virtue of executive order, including canceling student debt.” 

“In moments like this where there is some progress, it can be difficult for progressives to continue to push for the things that are very much needed against the overwhelming media tide of, ‘You should be happy with this progress,’” she explained. 

“I think it’s appropriate to have a moment of victory, while also being kind of clear-eyed about the path before us,” she added. 

Watch part of Gray’s interview above.


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