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Analysis of the Progressive Caucus's Grades

The overall grade was determined by averaging the grades for the eight items in the report card. The grades for each item were determined by an analysis of initiatives taken by the 58-member Progressive Caucus (consisting of 57 House members along with Sen. Paul Wellstone). For some of the issues, voting records were used to help assess appropriate grades. These records were compiled by the Americans for Democratic Action, the AFL-CIO, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League and the Human Rights Campaign. All showed that the Progressive Caucus has had a much better record on issues ranging from the federal budget to reproductive rights than has the House of Representatives as a whole. Specifically these records show:

For several years the Progressive Caucus has introduced, generally in conjunction with the Black Caucus, an alternative budget that emphasizes progressive taxation, an end to corporaee give aways, cuts in the military budget and increases in social investment. Voting records from Americans for Democratic Action were used in helping to make this assessment.

2. Jobs
Goal: Ensure Jobs, Living Wages, Ben efits & Worker Rights for All
Grade: A

Members of the Progressive Caucus have introduced several key pieces of legislation related to job and wage issues. Central among them is the "Living Wage/Jobs for All" bill introduced by Rep. Ron Dellums. Caucus members were also critical to passing the increase in the minimum wage and are among the leaders of an effort to further increase it. Voting records from the AFL-CIO and Americans for Democratic Action were used in helping to make this assessment.

3. Equality
Goal: Ensure Equality for All
Grade: A

The Progressive Caucus both in its actions and in its membership represents a positive direction for America. With members and leaders from the Black, Hispanic and Women's caucuses, the Progressive Caucus supported affirmative action, reproductive choice, gay and lesbian rights, and related critical issues. Voting records from the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League and the Human Rights Campaign were used in helping to make this assessment.

4. Global Economy
Goal: Promote a Just and Sustainable Global Economy
Grade: B+

The Progressive Caucus helped lead the successful effort to defeat fast track and has been the major Congressional voice in the campaign to advance worker rights and environmental standards internationally. It is leading the opposition to IMF bailouts of Western financial institutions.

5. Foreign Policy
Goal: Support Demilitarization, Human Rights and a New Internationalism
Grade: A

Progressive Caucus members worked hard to reduce military spending, to promote multilateral responses to conflicts, and to blow the whistle on arms sales and unneeded weapons systems.

6. Environment
Goal: Guarantee Sustainable Communities and Environmental Justice
Grade: B

Most members of the Progressive Caucus took excellent positionsÑsupporting HUD, the EPA and Kyoto, and opposing fast track and the MAI. Yet they failed to unify around a proactive proposals to increase federal funds for communities, promote community banking, ensure that global trade is community friendly, cut corporate welfare for firms that abandon communities, and generally put forward a progressive vision of devolution.

7. Social Investment
Goal: Provide Adequate Social Investment
Grade: A

Progressive Caucus members stood out in the opposition to Clinton's "welfare reform" and have helped expose the abuses of its implementation. They have been leading protectors of the country's other social investment programs.

8. Campaign Finance
Goal: Limit Private Money in Politics
Grade: B

The Clean Money, Clean Elections bill sponsored by 18 members of the Progressive Caucus would fundamentally change the calculus of power by breaking the direct link between candidates and special interests contributors, and by making it possible for average people without means to run serious campaigns for office. As such it would likely lead to more electoral competition (both within parties and between them), greater policy debate and broader representation of all Americans. Unfortunately, only 18 of the 58 members of the Progressive Caucus have signed onto this bill.

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