House Majority Leader rejects 'Never Enough Caucus' label for progressives

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) rejected Florida Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy's characterization of the Congressional Progressive Caucus as the "Never Enough Caucus," citing progressives' willingness to accept reduced spending in the Democrats' budget reconciliation bill.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has postponed two votes on the Senate-passed $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill due to progressives demanding that the Democrats' massive budget reconciliation bill (also known as the Build Back Better Act) must be finalized first.

The delayed vote on the infrastructure bill prompted Murphy, the head of the moderate Blue Dogs Coalition, to describe progressives as the "Never Enough Caucus."

Hoyer was asked if he agreed with Murphy's description of progressives in Congress.

"I believe the Progressive Caucus, like all caucuses, has a perspective," Hoyer said during a news conference on Tuesday. "They've been real advocates. We're looking now at a $1.75 trillion dollar bill, which is a very, very big sum of money, no doubt about it, but half of the $3.5 trillion and less than that, in terms to the $6 trillion. And Pramila Jayapal, the chair of the caucus, has said that she believes the progressives will support such a bill, so I wouldn't adopt Stephanie Murphy's comment in that sense."

Hoyer was referring to Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) originally proposing to spend $6 trillion on a filibuster-proof budget reconciliation bill consisting of new social safety net programs and climate change initiatives. The budget framework that ultimately passed was $3.5 trillion, and the revised version is currently at about $1.75 trillion.

"They are taking less than they thought was appropriate and what was needed," Hoyer said. "So they are taking yes for an answer." 

On Monday, West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin said House progressives should "quit playing games" and allow passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill without further delay. 

There are currently 95 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.