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Progressives Warn House Anti-Socialism Resolution Backed by 109 Dems Is Step Toward Slashing Safety Net
"This resolution is little about intelligent discourse and everything to do about laying the groundwork to cut Social Security and Medicare," said Rep. Mark Pocan, one of 86 House Democrats who voted against the measure.
Feb 02, 2023
More than 100 U.S. House Democrats—including some of the wealthiest members of Congress—joined with Republican lawmakers on Thursday in passing a resolution "denouncing the horrors of socialism," a largely symbolic gesture that opponents warned is nonetheless a step toward slashing Social Security, Medicare, and other safety net programs.
House Concurrent Resolution 9, which "denounces socialism in all its forms and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States," was introduced by Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), the staunchly anti-communist daughter of Cuban exiles who once interviewed then-Cuban President Fidel Castro for Telemundo.
"I think it's the best resolution that has ever been presented before the United States Congress," Salazar toldInsider at the U.S. Capitol before the vote. "Our youth are being penetrated by this ideology through media and academia."
The measure—which followed the vote to oust Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) from the House Foreign Affairs Committee—passed 328-86, with 14 lawmakers voting "present" and six members not voting.
One hundred and nine Democrats—many of them members of the corporate-friendly New Democrat Coalition—joined with every Republican lawmaker in voting to approve the resolution. Prominent Democrats who voted "yes" include: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), and House Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (S.C.), all of whom played prominent roles in defeating Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) presidential campaigns, which were based on popular democratic socialist policies and principles.
\u201cOne of these "New Democrats" is Congresswoman @SuzanDelBene - the new chair of the @DCCC, the House Democrats' PAC.\n\nThis is their plan to win the majority: not to pass popular bills like #MedicareForAll, but to ATTACK progressives and stoke another Red Scare.\n\nEmbarrassing.\u201d— Our Wisconsin Revolution (@Our Wisconsin Revolution) 1675369788
Many of the Democrats voting for the resolution also rank among the wealthiest members of Congress, including Pelosi, whose 2018 net worth was over $114 million, according to OpenSecrets.org; Suzan DelBene (Wash., $79 million net worth); Dean Phillips (Minn., $64 million); Scott Peters (Calif., $60 million); and Ro Khanna (Calif., $45 million). Khanna along with Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell of California and Rubén Gallego of Arizona, are either current or prospective candidates for U.S. Senate.
Denouncing the measure on the House floor, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.)—who voted "no"— said that "the socialism resolution is useless. It does nothing. It does not matter. Are we talking about public schools? Are we talking about roads? Are we talking about Social Security? I mean, give me a break."
\u201cThe GOP has called Social Security, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, & even free public schools "socialism" to scare ppl. Today, House R's wasted our time by debating a sham resolution in an attempt to justify cuts to programs that millions of Americans have paid into & earned.\u201d— Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost) 1675355277
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, invoked his experience as a capitalist to lambaste the anti-socialism resolution.
"For 35 years now I've owned a small business, giving me significantly more experience as a capitalist than the vast majority of members on the other side of the aisle. So as a capitalist, let me tell you: This resolution is plain ridiculous. It jointly condemns Pol Pot and Norway," Pocan said during floor debate, referring to the former Cambodian dictator, who was supported by the Republican Reagan administration after leading a genocidal regime that killed at least 1.5 million people.
Pocan continued:
Here's what this is really about: More and more members on the other side of the aisle are calling for cuts to Social Security and Medicare, and many have referred to these programs as "socialism" throughout their existence. The other night in the Rules Committee they showed their cards. Republicans refused an amendment to declare that Social Security and Medicare is not socialism. This resolution is little about intelligent discourse and everything to do about laying the groundwork to cut Social Security and Medicare.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), another "no" vote, called out the hypocrisy of Republicans who support corporate welfare or are personal beneficiaries of social programs. Waters took aim at House Small Business Committee Chair Roger Williams (R-Texas), who summarized his support for the resolution as: "Socialism bad. Capitalism good. In God we trust."
"Mr. Williams is my friend," said Waters, "but I do wonder whether Mr. Williams views the $1.43 million he received in debt forgiveness [to be] consistent with his views on socialism? I don't get it."
\u201cGOP logic:\n\nPublic Housing= Socialism\nSocial Security and Medicare=Socialism\nInfrastructure=Socialism\n\nRepublicans always have and always will brand programs to help working families as socialism. That's why I'm voting no on this distraction of a resolution.\u201d— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@Rep. Nydia Velazquez) 1675354158
After Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), who voted against the measure, noted during floor debate that there have been numerous democratic socialist leaders around the world who've been "allies of America and NATO," Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) quipped, "If this resolution would just simply draw out my Democrat colleagues to just say, yes, they are in favor of socialism, maybe this is a worthwhile endeavor."
Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.), a former organizer from Pittsburgh's Democratic Socialists of America chapter who voted against the resolution, shrugged off Republicans' red-baiting and the New Democrat Coalition's support for the GOP resolution.
"They're going to call you socialists anyways," Lee said.
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Cori Bush, Progressive Lawmakers and Activists Hailed for New CDC Eviction Moratorium
"I think the message here today is clear," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. "It's that everyday people can make a change. We can always demand better."
Aug 03, 2021
Pressure from progressive lawmakers and grassroots activists to extend the expired federal eviction moratorium paid off Tuesday when the Biden administration took action to shield most--but not all--U.S. renters at risk of losing their homes.
"We saw what it's like when one of the lowest-income Americans ever elected to national office challenged a Congress that is half made up of millionaires."
--Alexandra Rojas, Justice Democrats
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the new moratorium "is intended to target specific areas of the country where cases are rapidly increasing, which likely would be exacerbated by mass evictions."
Washington Post reporter Jeff Stein tweeted Tuesday afternoon that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) confirmed that the new CDC moratorium "will cover 90% of the country" and "last for 60 days."
"Schumer says, 'I particularly applaud Cori Bush,' who he says gave 'voice to the millions' at risk of eviction," Stein added.
Reacting to news of the new CDC moratorium, Bush (D-Mo.) tweeted, "Today, our movement moved mountains."
Alexandra Rojas, executive director of Justice Democrats, said in a statement that Bush "demonstrated exactly the kind of leadership on behalf of working people that we need to see more of in the Democratic Party."
\u201cOn Friday night, I came to the Capitol with my chair. I refused to accept that Congress could leave for vacation while 11 million people faced eviction.\n\nFor 5 days, we\u2019ve been out here, demanding that our government acts to save lives.\n\nToday, our movement moved mountains.\u201d— Cori Bush (@Cori Bush) 1628022466
"We saw what it's like when one of the lowest-income Americans ever elected to national office challenged a Congress that is half made up of millionaires," said Rojas. "With a little conflict and disruption of business as usual, she created a way out of 'no-way.' This isn't the end of the battle for housing rights, but a new beginning. People deserve so much more than just basic protections from evictions during a pandemic."
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement that "today's extension of the eviction moratorium is life-changing news for millions of people."
"I want to thank the Biden administration for finding a way to keep people in their homes while states distribute the $47 billion in assistance that Democrats in Congress provided in the American Rescue Plan," Sanders continued. "I'm also very proud of Reps. Cori Bush, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [D-N.Y.] and the [Congressional] Progressive Caucus for leading the effort to push the federal government to respond directly to the needs of the working class."
\u201cRep. Omar statement on the new CDC eviction moratorium:\u201d— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Rep. Ilhan Omar) 1628031745
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) tweeted that "this couldn't have happened without the monthslong advocacy of the Congressional Progressive Caucus." The Caucus chair hailed the "committed, clear-eyed activists like Bush leading the way, galvanizing attention, and calling on D.C. to govern with moral clarity," adding that "it gets results."
After House Democrats on Friday gave up on an eleventh-hour effort to pass a bill from Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) to extend the moratorium just before the lower chamber adjourned for August recess, the eviction ban lapsed on Saturday, putting millions of U.S. renters at risk of losing their homes amid the worsening Covid-19 pandemic.
Rather than leave Washington, D.C. like many of her congressional colleagues, Bush, along with Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), slept outside the U.S. Capitol building Friday night to demand that the House immediately reconvene to extend the moratorium.
The "Squad" members were joined over the weekend by other lawmakers and activists, who demanded that President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Schumer, and other leaders "stop playing the blame game" and "do whatever it takes" to "end this eviction emergency."
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Progressives Issue Dire Warning as House Bill to Extend Eviction Moratorium Dies
"If Congress does not act now, the fallout of the eviction crisis will undoubtedly set us backwards as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravish our communities, needlessly contributing to more death and destruction."
Jul 30, 2021
House Democrats on Friday afternoon gave up on the effort to enact legislation to extend the federal eviction moratorium after failing to secure enough votes for passage, even as progressive lawmakers warned of the "death and suffering" that will likely result from millions of people losing their homes as the more dangerous Delta variant drives a resurgent Covid-19 pandemic.
"Extending the federal eviction moratorium as quickly as possible is the least we can do for those in our communities who need our help the most."
--Rep. Cori Bush
According toThe Hill, two unnamed Democratic lawmakers said a possible Friday House floor vote on a bill introduced Thursday by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) that would extend the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eviction ban--which has been in effect since September and expires on Saturday--through the end of the year will not take place because, as one aide said, "we don't have the votes."
As the moratorium's expiration fast approached on Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her leadership team were struggling to secure sufficient support for the bill "amid resistance from moderates and housing industry groups," the site reported.
The Hill continued:
House Democrats can currently only afford three defections and still pass bills on their own without any support from Republicans. Democratic sources said Friday they were short by more than a dozen votes, which proved to be insurmountable despite more than a day of persuasion attempts by party leaders.
Pelosi later proposed a compromise of only extending the eviction ban to October 18, in part to appease centrists who preferred ending the moratorium by the end of the fiscal year on September 30. The October 18 date would also coincide with the end of the public health emergency declaration issued by the Biden administration.
Waters and Pelosi disagreed about whether lawmakers would vote on the bill--the former and progressives wanted a vote, while the latter was wary of the repercussions that the exposure of a "no" vote might bring.
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) attempted to pass the bill by unanimous consent, but the effort was thwarted when Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) objected.
"I just thought we should've fought harder," Waters said following the defeat.
\u201cHoyer asked unanimous consent for House to take up and pass an extension of eviction moratorium set to expire tomorrow. McHenry objected and tried to offer his own rental protection bill but was blocked by chair.\u201d— Craig Caplan (@Craig Caplan) 1627683395
On Thursday, President Joe Biden urged Congress to act to extend the moratorium "without delay" before the measure expires and lawmakers adjourn for summer recess.
However, Pelosi suggested that Biden could order the CDC to prolong the eviction ban long enough for states and municipalities to distribute around $47 billion in federal rental assistance that largely has yet to reach tenants and landlords.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki claimed the president's hands are tied by a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling in which right-wing Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote that "clear and specific congressional authorization (via new legislation) would be necessary" for another extension.
Progressive Democratic lawmakers--who for months have been pushing for an extension of the moratorium--on Friday renewed calls to prolong the lifesaving measure. In a letter to her House colleagues, Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), who formerly lived in her car with her two babies, wrote that "we cannot in good conscience leave for August recess until the federal eviction moratorium has been extended."
Speaking with Bush outside the U.S. Capitol on Friday evening, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said in a video she posted on Instagram that "we're pretty pissed off" because "Congress decided to leave town" while "an estimated seven million Americans" could be at risk of eviction when the moratorium lapses.
"They didn't even try," Ocasio-Cortez said, noting that even if the effort to pass the extension bill by unanimous consent failed, "you can call a vote and make everybody put their name next to their stance."
"But because people are a little too afraid to actually communicate to the public what their stance is, people want to skip town and let this moratorium lift tomorrow," she said.
"And by the way, the White House is not innocent here either," Ocasio-Cortez continued, "because the White House had a month to let people know, and they just sent a little Post-It note... to Congress yesterday, knowing that the House was set to adjourn."
"We're here. We're not on a plane to Boca," she said. "We're here, because people need to be housed, and we need to do our job. And we're not leaving until this job is finished."
"The House... can actually vote remotely... due to Covid provisions, and they still refused," Ocasio-Cortez said of her Democratic colleagues. "What I'm not going to do is let... House Democrats hide and say that this is Republicans' fault. Because it's not.... We have a House majority right now. When Democrats have a majority, Democrats can pass laws that they really want to pass."
Amid the back-and-forth between the administration and Congress, an all-but-certainly deadly reality looms: According to recent survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 4.2 million people across the nation say they are very likely or somewhat likely to face an eviction or foreclosure in the near future. Some of them face the prospect of homelessness.
This, as the more transmissible, more potent Delta variant of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 has become the dominant strain in the United States and infections and hospitalizations surge amid persistent vaccine hesitancy. In March, epidemiologists at the University of California, Los Angeles published research (pdf) showing that unhoused people are up to 50% more likely to die from Covid-19 than the general population.
\u201cKeep families in their homes. \n\nExtend the eviction moratorium now.\u201d— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@Rep. Pramila Jayapal) 1627674538
"If Congress does not act now, the fallout of the eviction crisis will undoubtedly set us backwards as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravish our communities, needlessly contributing to more death and destruction," wrote Bush in her letter. "After the loss of nearly 600,000 Americans to this pandemic, lawmakers need to be held to the highest levels of accountability to enact legislation that protects human life."
"I know firsthand the trauma and devastation that comes with the violence of being evicted, and we have a responsibility to do everything we can to prevent this trauma from being inflicted on our neighbors and communities," Bush added. "Extending the federal eviction moratorium as quickly as possible is the least we can do for those in our communities who need our help the most."
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