The MTR had been a procedural mechanism used by Republicans to force last-minute вЂњgotchaвЂќ votes that were tied to any bill Democrats brought to the floor, and these votes were most often used in bad faith to demonize immigrants and people of color. However, there are two provisions that have hampered progressive legislation in the past: the вЂњMotion to RecommitвЂќ (or вЂњMTRвЂќ) and the вЂњPay as You Go ruleвЂќ (or вЂњPayGoвЂќ). Most of these are relatively non-controversial, like how Congress will keep records or how Members of Congress can use their office funds. House Rules ChangesДЄt the start of each Congress, the House of Representatives passes a set of rules that govern its operations. While these checks should have been bigger and the final bill remained an inadequate relief package, it was improved markedly because progressives acted together. Because the CPC was willing to threaten to withhold their votes, by the time an agreement was reached, the legislative text included $600 survival checks. This demand also stated that inclusion of survival checks should not come at the expense of other vital provisions like enhanced unemployment insurance. The Congressional Progressive Caucus got together and demanded, crucially with the power of their collective vote, that survival checks be included. Advocates were rightly upset that this crucial form of aid was being left out of negotiations, and it seemed like an uphill battle to reinsert the needs of millions of people who would benefit from survival checks into a potential agreement. Towards the end of 2020, when Senate Republicans finally came back to the negotiating table to hammer out a COVID-19 relief package, initial conversations did not include any additional direct cash assistance in the form of survival checks (also referred to as вЂњstimulus checksвЂќ or вЂњeconomic impact paymentsвЂќ). We have already seen some effective uses of the Progressive Voting Bloc as a tactic, even before the caucus process officially went into effect, which only builds momentum for future opportunities and makes it more likely that progressive ideas are consulted-as they should be!-when legislation is still in formation 2020 Survival Checks What does the Progressive Voting Bloc Look Like in Action? It will take our continued engagement for the voting bloc to be used successfully and achieve the progressive wins in Congress that we want to see. This took coordinated efforts from strategic progressives in the House, like-minded organizations like Indivisible, and the hard work of grassroots activists making it known that they expect their representatives to be bold and wield their power. We want to be clear that this is a momentous step forward for progressives, but we didn't get here by accident. Even if only a smaller portion of the caucus agrees, those members are still able to coordinate with each other and operate as a bloc. If at least two-thirds of CPC members agree, then they are all expected to cast their votes as a bloc. Any CPC member can ask for caucus support on a particular position, whether thatвЂ™s supporting a major progressive bill or amendment, or opposing a harmful concession. This included a process for operating as a voting bloc in key moments. In preparation for the 117th Congress, the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) adopted a number of new rules to increase their power and influence in Congress ( see our op-ed from when they made these changes). The Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Progressive Voting Bloc. This leverage only matters if progressives use it-and fortunately weвЂ™ve already seen some promising examples. This reality gives progressives the ability to commit their votes together as a voting bloc and use that leverage in legislative negotiations to secure progressive wins and prevent harmful compromises.

In order to pass legislation, Democratic leadership needs the support of as many of their members as possible and can only afford to lose a few votes on any bill. Progressives hold a significant portion of the total Democratic seats in the House, including some exciting first-term progressives.

Blocs definition