AUSTIN, Texas — A congressman from Austin has been chosen to lead a powerful caucus in Washington.
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar was elected as the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), the highest-ranking leadership position for progressives in the U.S. House. He will succeed U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who was term-limited in the role as chair.
Casar is a former Austin City Council member and labor leader who was elected to Congress in 2022 after Texas gained two seats in reapportionment after the 2020 census.
“The Members of the Progressive Caucus know how to fight billionaires, grifters, and Republican frauds in Congress. Our caucus will make sure the Democratic Party stands up to corporate interests for working people," Casar said. “I’m honored to build on the legacy of Chair Jayapal. I’ve fought back against extremist, egocentric autocrats in Texas for my entire adult life. The Democratic Party must directly take on Trump, and it’ll be CPC Members boldly leading the way and putting working people first.”
Casar ran unopposed for the position and will lead the CPC alongside U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) as deputy chair and Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.) as whip.
Casar previously served as the CPC Whip for the during his first term in Congress.