"Any Democrat voting against this resolution is really voting against the base of the party, and it will be a very politically perilous vote," a senior progressive House Democrat told Axios.The lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans that have not been previously publicized, said there are "several progressive groups that will primary anyone" who votes no."They're already preparing. If the filing deadline has passed, they'll do it in '28," the House Democrat added. "It's basically inviting a primary challenge."
Another House progressive told Axios that progressive groups are "organizing calls into their districts to make that every Democrat votes for" the resolution.
"My understanding is that if they're doing that level of organizing now, they're going to hold them accountable," the lawmaker said."As they should," the lawmaker added.
What we're hearing: The first lawmaker cited Justice Democrats, MoveOn, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and OurRevolution as groups involved in the effort.
Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi told Axios: "Any Democrat that votes against war powers is supporting Trump's war on Iran and deserves to be primaried because all voters across the political spectrum are wholeheartedly against it." Said MoveOn spokesperson Britt Jacovich: "MoveOn members have no plans to throw their support behind members of Congress who refused to do their job and stop Trump from expanding his war. All options are on the table to make sure that our members' voices are heard loud and clear."OurRevolution spokesperson Paco Fabian told Axios: "When elected officials ... fail to stand with working people demanding peace and accountability, they risk losing the trust of the voters who put them in office. And when that trust is broken, voters often begin looking for leaders who will fight for them."
The PCCC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
What they're saying: "I'm voting no," said Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), adding that these groups should "focus on affordability."
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) declined to say how he plans to vote and, asked if he is concerned about backlash, quipped, "I'm Jewish, I always have anxiety."Another undecided House Democrat, who declined to speak on the record, told Axios: "I live my life doing ... what I believe is the right thing. Bring it."A group of six House Democrats have introduced an
alternative war powers resolution that would give the administration more time to withdraw, though several of them have said they support both measures.
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) also wouldn't say Wednesday afternoon how he was voting.
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), standing next to Suozzi, asked him, "Are you going to do the right thing?""I'm going to do the right thing," Suozzi replied, without specifying which way he believes that to be."He's going to do the right thing," Huffman said.
Between the lines: This measure is supported by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and the rest of Democratic leadership, putting these holdouts on an island.
Jeffries and other top Democrats, including Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.) and Intelligence Committee ranking member Jim Himes (D-Conn.), made "emphatic" cases for the resolution in a closed-door caucus meeting Wednesday, sources told Axios. Jeffries, in the meeting, cited
Fox News polling that shows middling approval for military intervention in Iran and called it a "war of choice," according to sources.House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) told Axios on Tuesday that she is whipping the vote, meaning that her deputies are privately cajoling colleagues not to break ranks.
The bottom line: As with members like Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) who now says she regrets voting for the Laken Riley Act last year, this is a vote that could follow members well beyond a single news cycle.
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