Inside House Democrats' behind-the-scenes food fight

The House's last in-session week before the midterms was beset by furious private finger-pointing between House Democrats following several high-profile rebellions. Why it matters: This dynamic may only worsen if Democrats retake the House, which is set to see an influx of distinctly rebellious and independent lawmakers, particularly on the left. There is even chatter among members contrasting the ability of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) to control members with that of his top deputy, Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), according to two House Democrats. Said one of the lawmakers, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share details of sensitive private discussions: "People are talking about 'mom and dad'. … Dad is soft." "I think people are asking the question: If this is happening in the minority, are you prepared for what will happen in the majority?" said a third House Democrat. "There is no daylight between the three of us," Jeffries said at a Thursday press conference with Clark and Democratic Caucus chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.). "We'll address the situation when we address the situation," he added. A Democratic leadership aide told Axios that everything Jeffries' deputies do is in coordination with him and doesn't represent a break between leaders. Driving the news: Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) on Tuesday provided Republican leadership with the necessary votes to advance a package of GOP bills, including a Russia sanctions bill strongly opposed by Democratic leaders. It was the second time this month the pair of centrists defected from leadership on a procedural vote — even after Clark and Jeffries publicly threatened them with punishment the first time. "People thought the first time was a mistake. The second time is defiance," said a fourth House Democrat, telling Axios the two "operate like they are above the caucus." Clark, along with Jeffries, engaged Gluesenkamp Perez in a heated discussion on the House floor during the vote in view of an Axios reporter, which sources said was about her defection. The rebellion came after Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) forced a vote on impeaching President Trump without support from leadership. The vote angered many House Democrats, who complained Green was muddying the party's message on a crucial week. Jeffries and Clark voted "present" along with 44 other Democrats. 147 sided with Green and 18 voted with Republicans to quash the impeachment effort. Leadership's neutrality on that vote drew frustration as well, with a fifth House Democrat telling Axios: "Our constituents don't send us here to be 'present.' They send us here to use our judgment." What they're saying: OurRevolution executive director Joseph Geevarghese said Jeffries "never seems to have this much trouble figuring out what to do when progressives are in his sights." "You cannot demand discipline from progressives while treating defections to the right as an unsolvable procedural dilemma," he told Axios. Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-N.J.) said progressives "catch shit" for being "too ideologic and bold on our ideas," and that it's "curious ... how there isn't an equally vocal attack" on centrists who break from the party line. Usamah Andrabi, a spokesperson for the left-wing Justice Democrats: "Leadership is threatening a Democratic majority in November by refusing to stand up to the corporate Democrats aiding and abetting Republicans' agenda." What we're hearing: Jeffries isn't the only target of rank-and-file backlash — Clark is getting heat from moderates for taking a swipe at Gluesenkamp Perez. The minority whip told reporters Wednesday that "it's team players who should sit on exclusive committees," which was widely interpreted as a reference to Gluesenkamp Perez's seat on the Appropriations Committee. Fumed a sixth House Democrat: "Katherine Clark just declared on moderate Democrats, which is a risky move for leadership going into a potentially tight majority." Jeffries' has been far more muted, repeatedly saying he will "have more to say about the situation when I have more to say about the situation." Much of the fury is also directed at Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez, with some of it is coming from their fellow centrists. "Everyone in the caucus is sick of the bullshit. Everyone has their ... number," a seventh House Democrat, a moderate, told Axios. "Marie is playing with fire," a senior House Democrat told Axios, adding that Jeffries "may not do anything now, but her committee appointment may be in jeopardy for next session." The other side: Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement to Axios, "I don't worry about that kind of stuff. I will always vote my District and let others play inside DC politics games." Said Golden: "I'm a Mainer and an American. I'm also a proud Democrat, but that team is a distant third." The bottom line: "Members have concerns about those who are not team players," a ninth House Democrat told Axios, and "next year is the best time to address it." Golden, who is retiring, has a warning for his colleagues: "Be careful what you wish for. Next time, it could be you facing punishment for putting your constituency or our country ahead of the party."

Read it at Axios ↗

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