As such, the group will meet in late January to decide on “next steps” regarding Morales. A spokeswoman said the group’s bylaws have a process for officially revoking endorsements, with the option to write formal denunciations.
Last night, it was noted that Rep. David Morales voted for Rep. J. Chekalchi. This is a violation of our terms of service. So members decide what the next step should be @ Jan.Gen.Body MTG
— American Providence Democratic Socialist (@ProvDSA) January 4, 2023
A Providence Democrat, Morales was first elected in 2020 at the age of 22, making him the youngest member of Congress and one of the youngest Latinos in the country. He describes himself as a democratic socialist who counts Bernie Sanders, Malcolm X and Shirley Chisholm among his heroes.
In November 2020, Morales abstained when House Democrats voted to make Warwick Democrat Shekarchi the Speaker of the House.
But on Tuesday, he joined in re-elected Szekarchi to the leadership role. and three Democrats abstained.
On Thursday, Morales responded to a statement by the Providence Democratic Socialists of America, saying, “First and foremost, organizations have the right to act as they choose.”
However, he said: Place every two years. I know I have done an effective job for the people working in Providence. ”
Morales said he believed he made the right decision to abstain from voting for House leadership two years ago. He said it was “absolutely not true” that his vote this week was aimed at winning the support of party leaders.
“I still maintain my level of agency,” Morales said. “The idea that voting for leadership will ‘sell out’ is wrong.”
He said his decision was “focused on being able to discuss policy further.”
“While there are policy disagreements that I share with some of our leaders, I believe that there is a way to work effectively with them to advance policy, improve policy proposals, and at the same time have our own institutions to oppose legislation. “It will hurt working people,” Morales said.
He said Congress’ priorities for 2023 include replacing an estimated 100,000 drinking water pipes that still contain lead. Last year, the bill passed the Senate but not the House. “Unfortunately, the city center has the highest percentage of lead pipe, especially in the area of his 02908 zip code that I represent,” he said.
Another priority is to lower the cost of prescription drugs “by directly limiting costs.”
Morales said he considers himself a democratic socialist and will continue to pay dues to the national organization.
The Providence Democratic Socialist website explains: Through campus and community-based chapters, DSA members use a variety of tactics, from legislation to direct action, to fight for reforms that empower people at work. ”
The website features a photo of Morales speaking at a podium, with a sign that reads, “Medicare Better for All.”
Another Bernie Sanders supporter, Rep. Brandon C. Potter, won a seat in the House of Representatives in 2020 with the backing of the progressive group, the Rhode Island Political Cooperative. But Potter, a Cranston Democrat, said he was “condemned and expelled” from the cooperative after voting for Szekarchi for House Speaker after the 2020 election.
Potter said he would vote against former House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello, a Cranston Democrat, but Mattiello lost his seat in the House, and Potter supported former House Democratic Majority Leader Schecarci as his successor. . At the time, the Political Co-operative said one of its top priorities was to gain new leadership at the General Assembly, and “Therefore, Brandon is no longer associated with the Co-op.”
Potter said on Thursday that the House of Representatives has a record of “progressive achievements” in the past two years, including “the most progressive recreational cannabis legalization in the country” and a 100% renewable energy standard. I was.
“I think it’s very clear at this point that the people who are causing these battles over leadership votes are very unserious people who have no interest in actually doing good public policy. “They were focusing on political drama and fights without thinking about the actual causes.”
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. follow him on twitter @fitzprov.
