Democrats punish members who put working Americans ahead of party loyalty

Democratic lawmakers in Washington have triggered backlash within their own party after Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington) backed a Sept. 1 procedural rule allowing the House to consider Golden’s Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act and a resolution condemning socialism. The rule passed 210-208, with five Republicans opposed. Party leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, said the move was a “significant breach of trust” and sought review by the Committee on Caucus Rules. The dispute centers on whether helping lobster workers and families tied to fishing and natural-resource industries is worth political risk. A Pew analysis found 60% of adults now identify as working class.