The Congressional Progressive Caucus was originally founded by a U.S. socialist group, with some Caucus members still evidencing a close working relationship with the group in question, the Democratic Socialists of America.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus, or CPC, was in the news today after Allen West said he’s “heard” that up to 80 House Democrats are Communist Party members.
“It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus,” West’s spokesman, Tim Edson, clarified.
“He stands by his words,” Edson said in statement about West’s remarks.. “But the words the media needs to pay attention to are the words of the members of the Progressive caucus. They speak for themselves. Call it what you may, but these House members are clearly not proponents of capitalism, free markets or individual economic freedom.”
The Congressional Progressive Caucus, or CPC, which boasts more than 80 members, was founded by the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA.
In the January/February 1998 issue of Chicago DSA’s New Ground, Ron Baiman identified Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts as leaders of the Progressive Caucus in Congress which DSA “helped to organize.”
Until November 2002, the website of the Progressive Caucus was hosted by the DSA. Following news reports that drew attention to the congressional website being hosted by the socialist organization, the list of CPC names was moved to the website of Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., an avowed socialist, and eventually to its own site.
