Progressives launch campaign against Trump, GOP tax agenda

Progressives have launched their first organized campaign against Republicans’ tax agenda, urging Democratic lawmakers and activists to fight jointly against what they say will be tax breaks for billionaires.

“It’s a con, it’s a grift,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) at a press conference with Congressional Progressive Caucus members on Tuesday. They argued the tax cuts plotted by Trump would leave wealth concentrated with the top 1 percent.

Liberal lawmakers and advocacy groups have started to sporadically address the wealth problem they see as corroding Washington under Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk, who is in charge of so-called government efficiency measures and controversial federal workforce cuts under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

Democratic officials on Capitol Hill have spoken out individually and are now working in unison, bolstered by organizers as Republican budget discussions form. Many want to draw attention to the ramifications that potential cuts to Medicaid, food assistance programs and retirement benefits could have for working class people.

Progressives’ efforts are becoming more coordinated as the tax debate takes shape under GOP control of Congress, spotlighting the impacts that a few extremely wealthy figures could have on Americans’ daily lives.

“I have no idea what I would do with a billion dollars,” Murphy said. “The scope of the greed is something we have never seen before in this country.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a Squad member, reframed the conversation around the policies that helped many progressive members win popular support in districts across the country. “The billionaire class may have their lobbies, but the American people have us,” she said.

“No more breadcrumbs for working people,” added Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the former chair of the CPC. “We need to focus on the greedy billionaires."

Topics

House GOP plan to pass Trump agenda set to face key test

The House GOP’s plan to pass a large chunk of President Trump’s agenda is set to face a key test this week when the conference looks to adopt a budget resolution, which would set the legislative ...
The Hill - 1d
12:30 Report — GOP at odds over Trump’s agenda

{beacon} 12:30 REPORT Welcome! It’s a beautiful day in Washington. Spring is so close I can feel it. 🌸 Today's forecast in DC: ⛅ 56° (Find your weather here). In today's edition: Trump’s agenda ...
The Hill - 2h
Senate GOP to vote on its plan for Trump's agenda despite Trump backing House plan

Senate Republicans plowing ahead with their efforts to advance the first stage of their two-part package to pay for Trump's agenda despite Trump backing the House’s plan.
ABC News - 4d
GOP's Lawler breaks with Trump on Zelensky, advises against public spat

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) broke with President Trump over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday and advised against a public spat between the two leaders. “Are you disturbed at all by ...
The Hill - 1d
House Democrats are ramping up their attacks on the GOP agenda

Politico - 1d
Watch live: Progressive lawmakers speak on GOP's budget reconciliation hopes

The Congressional Progressive Caucus will give remarks Tuesday morning on the GOP-led budget resolution, which Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is hoping to bring to a floor vote in the afternoon. ...
The Hill - 5h
The Red Card Fighting Trump’s Deportation Agenda

The “red card” lists practical tips and legal rights for immigrants who might find themselves targeted by federal agents. It has received nine million orders since Donald Trump was elected. Miriam ...
The New York Times - 2d
Trump preaches to the Maga choir at CPAC in campaign-style performance

US president hits familiar notes about election victories, ending the war in Ukraine and border militarization. In a campaign-style performance, Donald Trump delivered the more-than-hour-long ...
The Guardian - 2d
Democrats use committee hearing to rail against GOP Medicaid cuts and DOGE

Politico - 1h