Liberal Clout in the 111th Congress: Where Will New Mexico's Delegation Stand?

Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Xavier Becerra

I'm not sure whether or not this story on CQ Politics is overly optimistic about a progressive revival in Congress, but I sure loved reading it. You will too.

A liberal rejuvenation is reshaping things powerfully on the House side, and Rep. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan should be a part of the progressive push on most issues. Let's urge them to join the Congressional Progressive Caucus and take the initiative on core Democratic issues.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus, with a projected membership of more than 80 — 75 current members and an expected small batch of freshman recruits — has pushed for a $1 trillion economic recovery package that includes a refundable child tax credit and worker training funds.

Liberal leaders in the House, including Rep. Lynn Woolsey, a co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, Rep. Xavier Becerra, who'll be the new Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Rep. Barbara Lee, the incoming chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and House Appropriations Chairman David R. Obey are all organizing to consolidate their power within the Dem Caucus. They're feeling very upbeat about what can be achieved, with some quiet help from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (believe it or not).

Liberal Democrats begin the new session at a high-water mark in the House. Democratic aides say liberals account for more than half of the party’s 257 seats and will wield gavels on nearly two-thirds of the 21 full committees.

Even on the Senate side, where we all know what we're up against in terms of status quo protectors and obstructionists, the article reports that:

Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who is the lone senator in the Progressive Caucus, hopes to recruit new members, including Tom Udall of New Mexico and Jeff Merkley of Oregon. Such other liberal stalwarts as Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., hold key positions.

Perhaps we should contact Sen. Tom Udall to encourage him to join. He was a member of the CPC when he was NM-03's Representative.

As the article notes,

While Obama laid out a broad liberal agenda during his campaign that includes the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, a child health care mandate and an immigration overhaul, the progressives fear he will delay some of those priorities or resort to former President Bill Clinton’s tactic of “triangulation,” by cutting deals to appease Republicans and centrists.

It's up to us to help keep the pressure on for real change, not just nibbles around the edges. Very basic websites are up for the new members of the House and Senate, but they have the info you need to contact our Congressional delegation:

NM-01: http://heinrich.house.gov/
NM-02: http://teague.house.gov/
NM-03: http://lujan.house.gov/
Senior Senator: http://bingaman.senate.gov/
Junior Senator: http://tomudall.senate.gov

111th Congress Barbara Lee Xavier Becerra Lynn Woolsey Nancy Pelosi Bernie Sanders Tom Udall Jeff Merkeley Martin Heinrich Ben Ray Lujan Tom Udall Congressional Black Caucus Congressional Progressive Caucus