Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Progressive 'Squad' Faces Unprecedented Challenge from Powerful Lobbying Group
By admin
Published 1 year ago on
November 17, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a powerful lobbying group in Washington, is gearing up for a significant political showdown in the 2024 election cycle. The group is targeting the “Squad,” a group of progressive legislators of color, most of whom are women, with the aim of unseating them. The Squad, known for their vocal criticism of Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza, has been pushing for a cease-fire resolution in Congress.

AIPAC’s move is seen as a bold statement that no one is immune from their influence, regardless of their popularity or incumbency. The Squad, which has grown from four members in 2018 to seven in 2022, is known for advocating progressive causes such as Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, police reform, and student debt relief. They reject big-money backing, relying instead on grassroots support and small-dollar fundraising.

AIPAC, which has a history of clashing with progressives, became the largest single-issue outside spender in Democratic primaries in the 2022 midterms, investing nearly $30 million. This figure is expected to triple in the 2024 elections. The lobbying group has already begun recruiting primary opponents for Squad members and making expensive ad buys against them.

Despite the potential risks, House Democratic leadership has remained silent on the issue. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who received more money from the Israel lobby in 2022 than any other group, has not discouraged the primarying of these progressive Democratic incumbents.

The upcoming year will also pose challenges for AIPAC. Unseating an incumbent is a difficult task, and the Squad members are popular in their districts. Previous attempts to unseat members like Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have failed. If AIPAC’s efforts are unsuccessful, its reputation in Washington could be significantly damaged.

Read more at Slate.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

How California Homeless Programs Are Helping People Get Fit and off the Streets: ‘It’s the Bike’

DON'T MISS

Protesters in Fresno Rally Against Tesla and Elon Musk

DON'T MISS

Trump Considers Massive Extension of Travel Ban Targeting Up to 43 Countries

DON'T MISS

George Soros and Elon Musk Clash in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

DON'T MISS

Romania’s Democracy Tested as Court Blocks Controversial Presidential Bid

DON'T MISS

Trump Orders Strikes on Houthi Rebels in Yemen, Issues New Warning to Iran

DON'T MISS

Merced Kicks Off $3.5 Million Bob Hart Square Renovation

DON'T MISS

Playing Political Whac-A-Mole As Issue Of Bond Measure Language Pops Up Again

DON'T MISS

A Loophole in California Law Makes It Hard to Prosecute Threats Against Schools. Will Lawmakers Close It?

DON'T MISS

Rubio Says South Africa’s Ambassador to the US ‘Is No Longer Welcome’ in the Country

UP NEXT

George Soros and Elon Musk Clash in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

UP NEXT

Romania’s Democracy Tested as Court Blocks Controversial Presidential Bid

UP NEXT

Trump Orders Strikes on Houthi Rebels in Yemen, Issues New Warning to Iran

UP NEXT

Rubio Says South Africa’s Ambassador to the US ‘Is No Longer Welcome’ in the Country

UP NEXT

Polish PM Offers Jesse Eisenberg Military Training for ‘James Bond’ Role

UP NEXT

Voters Flood Town Halls With Fears of Social Security Cuts, Putting Heat on GOP

UP NEXT

Democratic Party Fractures in Government Shutdown Fight, With Anger Running High

UP NEXT

Senate Passes Six-Month Funding Bill Hours Before Shutdown Deadline

UP NEXT

Trump Pledges to ‘Expel Rogue Actors’ in Political Speech at Justice Department

UP NEXT

Trump Administration’s Attacks on Higher Education Threaten US Global Dominance in Science

George Soros and Elon Musk Clash in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

1 day ago

Romania’s Democracy Tested as Court Blocks Controversial Presidential Bid

1 day ago

Trump Orders Strikes on Houthi Rebels in Yemen, Issues New Warning to Iran

1 day ago

Merced Kicks Off $3.5 Million Bob Hart Square Renovation

1 day ago

Playing Political Whac-A-Mole As Issue Of Bond Measure Language Pops Up Again

2 days ago

A Loophole in California Law Makes It Hard to Prosecute Threats Against Schools. Will Lawmakers Close It?

2 days ago

Rubio Says South Africa’s Ambassador to the US ‘Is No Longer Welcome’ in the Country

2 days ago

Dodgers’ Star Mookie Betts Sidelined in Japan With Flu-Like Symptoms

2 days ago

US Imposes Sanctions on Thai Officials After Uyghur Men Are Deported to China

2 days ago

Shohei Ohtani Hits 2-Run HR in Return to Japan Against Yomiuri Giants

2 days ago

How California Homeless Programs Are Helping People Get Fit and off the Streets: ‘It’s the Bike’

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Robert Brown had tried everything for his pain, from acupu...

15 hours ago

15 hours ago

How California Homeless Programs Are Helping People Get Fit and off the Streets: ‘It’s the Bike’

1 day ago

Protesters in Fresno Rally Against Tesla and Elon Musk

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Pool via AP)
1 day ago

Trump Considers Massive Extension of Travel Ban Targeting Up to 43 Countries

1 day ago

George Soros and Elon Musk Clash in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

1 day ago

Romania’s Democracy Tested as Court Blocks Controversial Presidential Bid

1 day ago

Trump Orders Strikes on Houthi Rebels in Yemen, Issues New Warning to Iran

1 day ago

Merced Kicks Off $3.5 Million Bob Hart Square Renovation

2 days ago

Playing Political Whac-A-Mole As Issue Of Bond Measure Language Pops Up Again

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend