Biden makes inroads with progressives | TheHill – The Hill
President Biden has established an early working relationship with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, satisfying a group that was skeptical of him during the campaign with an aggressive agenda in his first weeks in office.
Biden campaigned as a moderate in a primary field of progressive stalwarts including Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersCBO says minimum wage would increase deficit B The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by TikTok - Senate trial of Trump to dominate this week This week: Senate starts Trump trial as Democrats draft coronavirus bill MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenOvernight Energy:Biden faces calls to shut down Dakota Access pipeline | Hackers breach, attempt to poison Florida city's water supply | Daines seeks to block Haaland confirmation to Interior Biden faces calls to shut down Dakota Access pipeline Wyden to wield new power on health care, taxes with committee gavel MORE (D-Mass.). When opponents attempted to brand him as a socialist, he shot back, I beat the socialist.
But the president has managed to win over much of the progressive wing of the party in the early going through regular outreach, executive orders on climate and immigration, and a commitment to a $1.9 trillion relief package.
There are certainly areas were continuing to talk to them and push them on, but generally its been a good productive relationship, and we feel like many of the priorities of progressives that benefit working people and poor people across the country are really getting addressed and spoken to even in these first two weeks, said Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalHouse Democrats unveil draft coronavirus relief legislation Biden makes inroads with progressives Biden's push for stimulus checks sparks income eligibility debate MORE (D-Wash.), who chairs the 94-member Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Early and consistent outreach from the White House has been key in building trust with progressives on Capitol Hill, officials said.
One of the first calls Louisa TerrellLouisa TerrellBiden makes inroads with progressives Biden officials hold call with bipartisan group of senators on coronavirus relief plan MORE made as Bidens director of legislative affairs was to the Progressive Caucus. The group has also met with Domestic Policy Council Director Susan RiceSusan RiceBiden makes inroads with progressives The Hill's Morning Report - Biden seeks vaccine for all by summer; Trump censure? 5 things to know about Biden's racial equity orders MORE and National Economic Council Director Brian DeeseBrian DeeseBiden makes inroads with progressives The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Republicans squeeze Biden with 0 billion COVID-19 relief alternative Biden's push for stimulus checks sparks income eligibility debate MORE, among others.
The Sunrise Movement, a progressive group focused on climate change, has been in regular contact with members of Bidens climate team.
Progressives have been satisfied with Bidens choice of Ron KlainRon KlainOvernight Health Care: New COVID-19 cases nationally drop below 100K for first time in 2021 | CDC warns states against lifting restrictions amid threat of virus variants | Health officials warn COVID-19 eradication unlikely House Democrats renew probe into Trump administration's pandemic response Biden makes inroads with progressives MORE as his chief of staff, preferring him as a voice who would bring progressive ideas to the table in contrast to Rahm Emanuel, who served as former President Obamas chief of staff from 2009 to 2010.
If we want to have unity on a bill that is a priority for the president, I say the same thing that I say to leadership, which is, consult us early and often, Jayapal said.
Officials say progressive priorities have been reflected in Bidens early actions, thanks in part to the recommendations of unity task forces between the former presidential campaigns of Biden and Sanders.
Biden delivered progressive groups wins by revoking the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, signing an executive order to end the use of private prisons in the criminal justice system and pushing to include an increase in the minimum wage in the economic relief proposal.
It really does tell us that Biden is listening and is committed to using his full executive power. And while this is a great step forward we also are very aware this is just the beginning of what needs to get done, said Ellen Sciales, press secretary for the Sunrise Movement.
The Democratic Party has so far been unified in its push for a robust relief package even without Republican support, weary of repeating the mistakes of the Obama administration when a stimulus package was narrowed to garner GOP votes in 2009 in response to the Great Recession. Any talk of Democrats in disarray has also been overshadowed by infighting among House Republicans.
The basic lesson of the Obama White House was they never regretted when they went bold and they almost always regretted when they slow walked or watered down popular ideas under the illusory hope that Republicans like [Maine Sen.] Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsThe GOP's impeachment 'prisoner's dilemma' This week: Senate starts Trump trial as Democrats draft coronavirus bill Biden makes inroads with progressives MORE would deal in good faith," said Adam Green, cofounder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, who commended Biden for sticking by his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief proposal.
But progressive groups and lawmakers have made clear they will push Biden on key issues, setting up potential fractures in the party as the president navigates the rest of his term.
Green's group is pressing for the relief bill to fund full $2,000 stimulus payments to some Americans, after Democrats campaigned on them in the Georgia Senate runoffs. Biden's proposal includes $1,400 checks that add to $600 payments already signed into law in December by former President TrumpDonald TrumpDOJ to seek resignations of most Trump-appointed US attorneys: report Trump attorney withdraws request to not hold impeachment trial on Saturday Kinzinger in op-ed calls on GOP senators to convict Trump in impeachment trial MORE.
Rep. Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarDemocrats should make the 'Bee-Gees' the face of theRepublican Party Biden makes inroads with progressives Defiant Greene attacks media, dodges questions on past remarks MORE (D-Minn.) led a group ofmore than 50 progressive Democratic lawmakers who penned a letter to Biden late last month urging him to support recurring monthly direct payments to Americans during the pandemic.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus will pressure the White House to extend the ban on private prisons to the immigration system and act on student loan debt relief, Jayapal said. The White House said Thursday it is reviewing what actions Biden might be able to take unilaterally to forgive federal student loans amid the pandemic.
The filibuster, which requires 60 votes to close debate on legislation, is another point of tension, though with Sens. Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinHouse Democrats unveil draft coronavirus relief legislation Former Ocasio-Cortez spokesperson: Manchin, Sinema should be primaried if 'they're going to stand in the way of progress' CBO says minimum wage would increase deficit B MORE (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) opposed to eliminating it, Democrats do not now have the votes to do away with it.
Dozens of progressive groups nonetheless wrote to Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerOcasio-Cortez, Schumer announce federal COVID-19 fund to help families pay for funerals Over 60 progressive groups urge Schumer to nix filibuster Booker reintroduces bill to give all newborns ,000 savings accounts MORE (D-N.Y.) on Friday urging him to end the filibuster, which they called a weapon of pure partisan gridlock.
Tensions could also persist over certain staffing moves in the administration. Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezON THE MONEY: CBO estimate makes waves | Democrats to expand child tax credit | Wyden wields power Ocasio-Cortez, Schumer announce federal COVID-19 fund to help families pay for funerals Former Ocasio-Cortez spokesperson: Manchin, Sinema should be primaried if 'they're going to stand in the way of progress' MORE (D-N.Y.) late last year criticized the makeup of Bidens Cabinet and whether progressives were being rewarded for their role in helping Biden to the White House.
Progressives have been satisfied with some of Bidens nominees to Cabinet and other high-level positions, including Rep. Deb HaalandDeb HaalandOvernight Energy:Biden faces calls to shut down Dakota Access pipeline | Hackers breach, attempt to poison Florida city's water supply | Daines seeks to block Haaland confirmation to Interior Biden makes inroads with progressives Daines seeks to block Haaland confirmation to Interior MORE (D-N.M.) to lead the Interior Department, Xavier BecerraXavier BecerraIs Biden truly committed to unity and moderation? There's hope, but time's running out Biden makes inroads with progressives Pelosi pushing Newsom to pick Schiff for next California AG: report MORE to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Marcia FudgeMarcia FudgeBiden makes inroads with progressives The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - House boots Greene from committees; Senate plows ahead on budget Senate panel advances Biden's picks for Housing secretary, chief economist MORE as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Some progressives also waged a campaign against Mike Morell for CIA director, a position for which Biden ultimately nominated veteran career diplomat William BurnsWilliam BurnsBiden makes inroads with progressives Biden's Cabinet gradually confirmed by Senate Biden announces veteran diplomat William Burns as nominee for CIA director MORE.
Weve won a bunch of these fights, but it doesnt make any sense that some of the people we were having to fight against were ever in the running, said David Segal, executive director of Demand Progress. The idea that Bidens team would have ever considered installing Morell at CIA is another signal we need to be very watchful in the national security realm despite them having made the seemingly better choice of Burns.
Segal said that overall the nominations went better than expected but described them as far from perfect. He raised concerns about Agriculture Secretary nominee Tom VilsackTom VilsackUSDA: Farm-to-school programs help schools serve healthier meals OVERNIGHT MONEY: House poised to pass debt-ceiling bill MOREs work for the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Commerce Secretary nominee Gina RaimondoGina RaimondoBiden makes inroads with progressives Daines seeks to block Haaland confirmation to Interior Hillicon Valley: Democratic senators unveil bill to reform Section 230 | Labor board denies Amazon request to delay local union vote | Robinhood lifts restrictions on GameStop, other stocks MOREs ties to Wall Street, and Secretary of State Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenColombia to register thousands of Venezuela migrants in bid to give them legal residency The Hill's 12:30 Report: Senate prepares for impeachment trial to start Biden administration announces plans to rejoin UN human rights council MOREs consulting work at WestExec Advisors.
Biden is also facing pressure to more forcefully root out individuals from the government who were installed under former President Trump.Jeff Hauser, executive director of the Revolving Door Project, noted in particular that most of the U.S. attorneys appointed under Trump remain in place and also argued that FBI Director Christopher Wray should be fired in light of the security failure at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The White House said last month that Biden would keep Wray on in his position.
Were disconcerted by the number of Trump officials still in power, Hauser said.
Read the original:
Biden makes inroads with progressives | TheHill - The Hill
- Progressives grapples with how to respond to vitriol, blame following Kirk's death - NPR - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Progressives can never be wrong - The Spectator - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Progressives grapples with how to respond to vitriol, blame following Kirk's death - VPM - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Column: The U.S. birthrate is falling it's time progressives stop ignoring it - - The Daily Tar Heel - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Phelim McAleer: After Charlie Kirk's assassination, Donald Trump must take on and win this war with the progressives - Belfast News Letter - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Opinion | White nationalists are filling a void left by retreating progressives - The Spec - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Organizers hope new political group Elevate Oak Park will offer alternative to progressives in power - Chicago Tribune - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Senate Republicans plan filibuster changes that could leave progressives torn - The Boston Globe - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Progressives NIMBYs Threaten Affordable Housing In New York And L.A. - Forbes - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- EU Leader Calls to Sanction Israel as U.S. Progressives Push to End Arms Sales - The Intercept - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Glenn Beck Exposes Progressives Plot to Rewrite America and Erase God from Its Foundation - Charisma Magazine Online - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Progressives Throw Their Support To Jawando For County Executive - Montgomery Community Media - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Progressives Are Headed for Self-Imposed Extinction - AMAC - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- The Revenge of the States: How Progressives Learned to Love Federalism - La Voce di New York - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- How a small band of determined progressives is being heard in a deep-red Missouri county - Columbia Missourian - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Thunberg and Like-Minded Progressives Sail to GazaAgain - The European Conservative - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Progressives underestimate the danger of subway disorder - UnHerd - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Democrats withdraw two-state resolution to avoid clash with progressives on Israel and Palestinians - The Forward - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- The far right are feeding off anger. Progressives must do the same - TheNational.scot - August 27th, 2025 [August 27th, 2025]
- How Progressives Hijack Democratic Governance (yet another way!) - MacIver Institute - August 26th, 2025 [August 26th, 2025]
- Debate over empathy highlights differing views of Christian conservatives, progressives - OregonLive.com - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - News4JAX - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- Jurado breaks with progressives on housing bill: Im not willing to gamble losing Boyle Heights - Boyle Heights Beat - August 22nd, 2025 [August 22nd, 2025]
- Zohran Mamdani's primary win empowers progressives to run for office - Fox News - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- Democrat warns US progressives against moving toward the center: It lost me the election - The Guardian - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- In Trump's Redistricting Push, Democrats Find An Aggressive Identity And Progressives Are On Board - HuffPost - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- Progressives Well-Positioned for Burien Council Takeover - The Urbanist - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- Democratic Progressives Push Filibuster Threat - MSN - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - The Spec - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- In Trumps redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - The Boston Globe - August 20th, 2025 [August 20th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - Los Angeles Times - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - Bedford Gazette - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - The Lufkin Daily News - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - The Daily Review - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - WV News - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - Citizen Tribune - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - MSN - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - The Daily Item - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - Herald-Banner - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - thedailystar.com - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- In Trump's redistricting push, Democrats find an aggressive identity and progressives are on board - The Tribune-Democrat - August 18th, 2025 [August 18th, 2025]
- Four Policies Progressives Are Backing for the Next Big Transportation Bill - Streetsblog USA - August 14th, 2025 [August 14th, 2025]
- John Nichols on Progressives and the Trump Administration - C-SPAN - August 14th, 2025 [August 14th, 2025]
- Progressives think jailing criminals doesnt affect crime - Washington Examiner - August 14th, 2025 [August 14th, 2025]
- Even Progressives Are Warming to Free Markets - RealClearMarkets - August 14th, 2025 [August 14th, 2025]
- Burn it all: Progressives meet in the Trump-era wilderness - Semafor - August 12th, 2025 [August 12th, 2025]
- Burn it all: Progressives meet in the Trump-era wilderness - yahoo.com - August 12th, 2025 [August 12th, 2025]
- BNN IN FOCUS | By denying Israel's right to defend its citizens, the Progressives threaten Latvia's foreign policy situation - Baltic News Network - August 9th, 2025 [August 9th, 2025]
- A good Election Night for Seattles band of upstart progressives - CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News - August 7th, 2025 [August 7th, 2025]
- Democrats win special elections, progressives gain in city races - Semafor - August 7th, 2025 [August 7th, 2025]
- I love being a mom. Why do many progressives tear down motherhood? | Opinion - USA Today - August 7th, 2025 [August 7th, 2025]
- Early success of Corbyns new party should give progressives hope for 2029 - openDemocracy - August 7th, 2025 [August 7th, 2025]
- Its springtime for progressives again Democratic incumbents face heat from the base - UnHerd - August 7th, 2025 [August 7th, 2025]
- The Ties That Bind Islamists and Progressives - The Free Press - August 7th, 2025 [August 7th, 2025]
- The Mamdani effect: how his win spurred more than 10,000 progressives to consider run for office - The Guardian - August 6th, 2025 [August 6th, 2025]
- Another Summer Building the Next Generation of Constitutional Progressives - Constitutional Accountability Center - August 6th, 2025 [August 6th, 2025]
- Barstool Sports' Portnoy disgusted at young progressives embracing socialism: 'Makes me want to puke' - Fox Business - August 6th, 2025 [August 6th, 2025]
- A Bitcoiner's Case For Progressives: Why We Were Right To Appraoch Trump - Bitcoin Magazine - August 6th, 2025 [August 6th, 2025]
- Young progressives look to Zohran Mamdani, AOC as future of the Democratic Party under one condition - Yahoo Home - August 3rd, 2025 [August 3rd, 2025]
- EDITORIAL: Democrats' civility goes out the window so progressives can pretend to be tough - Washington Times - August 3rd, 2025 [August 3rd, 2025]
- Progressives join forces with teachers union amid GOP criticism of liberal agenda - MSN - August 3rd, 2025 [August 3rd, 2025]
- Young progressives say AOC, Zohran Mamdani are the future of the Democratic Party - Fox News - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Mara Gay: Mamdani has done something special, and progressives need Black voters to make it last - MSNBC News - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Geoff Russ: Sorry, progressives, Canada wasn't 'built on slavery' like the U.S. - Yahoo Home - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Geoff Russ: Sorry, progressives, Canada wasn't 'built on slavery' like the U.S. - National Post - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Can Democrats Really Pull a Reagan? How the GOP's 1980 Playbook Could Work for Progressives in 2028 - Keen On America - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Progressives never tell you what they mean by 'progress,' says podcast host - Fox News - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Opinion | Mamdani Has Done Something Special. Progressives Need Black Voters to Make It Last. - The New York Times - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Nvidia CEO says Trump gives America an advantage. Hear that, progressives? | Opinion - USA Today - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Obama: Progressives made a 'mistake' in talking about what's wrong with boys - MSNBC News - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Why young progressives shouldn't give up on Indiana or flee from it | Opinion - IndyStar - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- The global situation from the perspective of the Kuwaiti progressives - Peoples Dispatch - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Where the Trump administration and Bay Area progressives agree: Psychedelics - San Francisco Chronicle - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Barack Obama calls out progressives' 'mistake' of constantly talking about what's wrong with boys - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Will California progressives have their Zohran Mamdani moment? - CalMatters - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Marc Maron Amits Progressives Are a Buzzkill in HBO Special Trailer - The Hollywood Reporter - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Judge rules against progressives in a hearing on the Cherry Hill county committee election - Inquirer.com - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Marc Maron Admits Progressives Are a Buzzkill in HBO Special Trailer: We Annoyed the Average American Into Fascism - IMDb - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- From New York to Tucson Working Families committed to electing real progressives with bold vision - Tucson Sentinel - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]