In late 2008, after the election, Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Waterloo) talked with Radio Iowa about the formation of a “populist caucus” in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“If you look at the campaigns that I’ve run and the issues that I’ve focused on, I think that a prairie populist is a good description,” Braley said during an interview with Radio Iowa in mid-December. “My roots are deep in the prairies of Iowa and I’m trying to make sure that we maintain a way of life and a lifestyle that keeps our communities active and vibrant, like the ones that I lived in growing up in Iowa.”
Now, “names” are being named. News release below:
Rep. Braley Joins Other Founding Members to Launch Populist Caucus
Washington, DC – Populist Caucus Chair Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) will join other founding members to officially launch the Populist Caucus in a press conference on Thursday. The Populist Caucus is the only caucus in Congress focused solely on addressing middle class economic issues. The caucus aims to bring members of Congress together by rallying around six key middle class issues: creating good-paying jobs; cutting taxes for the middle class; affordable healthcare; quality, affordable education; fair trade; and protecting consumers.
There are 21 founding members of the populist caucus: Reps. Bruce Braley (D-IA), Chair; Michael Arcuri (D-NY), Vice-Chair; Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Vice-Chair; Betty Sutton (D-OH), Vice-Chair; Leonard Boswell (D-IA); Steve Cohen (D-TN); Joe Courney (D-CT); Keith Ellison (D-MN); Bob Filner (D-CA); Phil Hare (D-IL); Mazie Hirono (D-HI); Hank Johnson (D-GA); Steve Kagan (D-WI); David Loebsack (D-IA); Eric Massa (D-NY); Linda Sanchez (D-CA); Jan Schakowsky (D-IL); Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH); Peter Welch (D-VT); and John Yarmouth (D-KY).
WHAT: Press Conference Launching the Populist CaucusWHO: Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), Chair Founding members of the Populist Caucus
WHEN: THURSDAY, February 12, 2009 9:30am EST
WHERE: Congressional Meeting Room South; Capitol Visitors Center; Washington, DC
About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
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