House Democrats are preparing to revive a sweeping slate of progressive legislation, including proposals to decriminalize prostitution and dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as a larger Democratic majority and a growing contingent of socialist lawmakers prepare to push previously stalled measures through Congress.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), one of the original members of the “Squad,” has introduced legislation seeking to abolish the federal death penalty and decriminalize prostitution. She has described prostitution as a “byproduct of discrimination, poverty and/or addiction.”
Pressley is expected to be joined by eight incoming lawmakers affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America. While their backgrounds in elected office differ, the group is preparing to use its increased presence to influence the Democratic agenda.
Pressley’s “People’s Justice Guarantee” aims to address mass incarceration and broaden access to “restorative justice,” an approach critics characterize as overly lenient toward people accused or convicted of crimes.
The incoming lawmakers are expected to draw heavily from the DSA’s policy platform, which requires endorsed candidates to support the organization’s broader agenda. An electoral commission document reviewed by The Post outlines a “Socialists-In-Office” network designed to help elected officials work together “towards the goal of promoting Democratic Socialism.”
The progressive push, however, reaches well beyond lawmakers backed by the DSA, including Pressley.
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) is seeking to expand the diversity visa program, which distributes 55,000 US work visas worldwide. The proposal comes after President Trump cut thousands of visas from the program.
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), who is leaving Congress, has proposed training business owners on how to oppose ICE. Her legislation follows a campaign season in which several candidates called for eliminating or defunding the federal immigration agency. Velázquez will be succeeded by democratic socialist Claire Valdez, who has advocated for a “living wage” and highlighted her experience working low-wage jobs at Taco Bell.
Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) has introduced the “Drain ICE Act,” which would reclaim the $75 billion allocated to the agency through Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
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Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) has sponsored a resolution addressing the wage gap affecting Latinas and examining its consequences for women, families, the economy and the country.
Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) has introduced a paid-leave bill backed by more than 80 co-sponsors. The measure would require employers to provide one hour of paid time off for every 25 hours worked, amounting to roughly two weeks of leave for a full-time employee.
The progressive bloc is also positioning itself to exercise greater influence inside the party. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), chair of the House Progressive Caucus, said the group is expected to have about 105 members next year—enough to significantly shape the Democratic legislative agenda.
“Our goal is not to win a battle against other Democratic caucuses. It is to pass longstanding progressive priorities that bring down costs, root out corruption, and boost wages,” Casar wrote to caucus members Friday. He won reelection with 84% of the vote in a redrawn district.
None of the Democratic proposals advanced under the Republican-controlled Congress, whose current session runs through early January. However, lawmakers can reintroduce the same legislation in the next session, when a House Democratic majority of more than 250 members could move the bills forward.
Even so, the scale of the Republican defeat could give likely incoming Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) greater freedom to set the party’s direction.
Jeffries could emphasize proposals that have performed well in polling and focus on reducing the cost of living—issues voters identified as central to their decisions—rather than allowing the expanded “Squad” to determine the party’s priorities.
Progressive leader Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) told NPR that Jeffries, whom she has spoken with, “intends to usher in the biggest, boldest progressive populist agenda.”
