From the Freedom Caucus to the democratic socialists, small groups inside parties can wreak havoc with leaders’ agenda in Congress
At least a half-dozen DSA-affiliated candidates are likely to win seats, giving the left-wing bloc new leverage in a closely divided House.
- At least six DSA-affiliated candidates are poised to join the House in the 120th Congress, raising questions about how Democrats will manage these new members within a potentially slim majority.
- With models predicting a potential 30-seat Democratic majority, small ideological groups like the DSA-affiliated caucus may find their influence limited, as leaders rely less on every single vote to pass critical legislation.
- Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy lost his job on October 3, 2023, after Freedom Caucus members ousted him for compromising with Democrats to prevent a government shutdown.
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries faces similar pressures, as public roll-call votes may encourage members to rebel against leadership, potentially mirroring the grueling 15-round speaker selection process seen in the 118th Congress.
- Bipartisanship remains a functional reality in Congress, as legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act demonstrates that effective lawmaking often requires balancing ideological demands with the necessity of passing essential policy.
41 Articles
41 Articles
His worst nightmare: A fearless bloc is ready to tear down Trump's agenda
The Democratic Party’s coalition headed into the 2026 midterms is as broad as it’s been in years. That seems likely to help them pick up dozens of seats in Congress and win majorities back from Republicans in either or both chambers.One notable and attention-getting portion of that coalition is a group of progressive political newcomers who affiliate with the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA. This growing left-wing organization had a han…
The Conversation
From the Freedom Caucus to the democratic socialists, small groups inside parties can wreak havoc with leaders’ agenda in Congress
What role might DSA-affiliated candidates play if they win election to Congress in the midterms and the Democrats gain a majority in the House of Representatives?
From the Freedom Caucus to the democratic socialists, small groups inside parties can wreak havoc with leaders’ agenda in Congress
by SoRelle Wyckoff Gaynor, University of Virginia and Charlie Hunt, Boise State University, [This article first appeared in The Conversation, republished with permission] The Democratic Party’s coalition headed into the...
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