House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is weighing disciplinary action against two of his own members after they blindsided the entire Democratic caucus by helping Republicans revive a stalled legislative agenda.
Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) and Jared Golden (D-ME) broke with leadership Tuesday to push through a key procedural vote that had been on the verge of failing, forcing House Democrats to then vote on a slate of GOP priorities they otherwise would have blocked entirely.
According to Politico, Jeffries didn't mince words in a joint statement with Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) and Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA).
"The decision by two of our colleagues to blindside the entire House Democratic Caucus and join with the Republican majority to pass a procedural rule on the brink of failing represents a significant breach of trust," Jeffries said. "It is an action that necessitates a serious response, and we have asked the Committee on Caucus Rules to take this up in short order."
Golden, who is not seeking re-election to his red-leaning seat, defended his vote to reporters, explaining it cleared the way for a bill he co-sponsored benefiting lobstermen in Maine, while also delaying fishing regulations meant to protect the North Atlantic right whale population. Spokespeople for both Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
House leadership has several disciplinary tools available, including stripping members of committee assignments. Asked Tuesday evening directly whether he was considering consequences for the pair, Jeffries kept his options open.
"We haven't ruled anything in, and we haven't ruled anything out," Jeffries said.
The rare breach of party discipline lands at a delicate moment for Democrats, who are hoping to retake the House majority in November's midterms — a scenario that would leave Jeffries governing with an especially thin margin, where defections like Tuesday's could prove even more costly.
