LEESBURG, Va. — House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) joined us on Wednesday for “Cocktails and Conversations” at the House Democrats’ annual retreat.
Before the interview, James Williams, executive vice president of advocacy, communications and external affairs at Arnold Ventures gave brief remarks. Thank you to Arnold Ventures for partnering with us to make this event possible.
Here are our top takeaways:
– Aguilar said Democrats want to focus their message on uplifting working class voters. The California Democrat said the party will gear their focus to saying Republicans are working for the billionaire class, pointing to Elon Musk for example.
– After House Democrats nearly unanimously voted against a House GOP-led CR, Aguilar said Democrats shouldn’t be blamed for any potential government shutdown. Aguilar noted the CR was a “Republican only effort” and Democratic leadership prefers a bipartisan approach.
– Aguilar challenged the DOGE efforts, arguing that their method to reduce the size of government is flawed. Aguilar, however, added that Democrats are in when it comes to government efficiency, if it’s done so in a “collaborative way.”
– After some House Democrats protested President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress, Aguilar celebrated the “exuberance” of the caucus. “There should be a role for everyone in their own way to represent the district,” he said.
– Aguilar joked “I’m not running” when asked about the California gubernatorial race. But Aguilar did say he’d endorse former Vice President Kamala Harris if she decides to run and he encouraged her to do so.
In addition to Aguilar, raising a glass with us at the Punchbowl News event were Democratic Reps. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), Steny Hoyer (Md.), Debbie Dingell (Mich.), Jared Huffman (Calif.), Nikki Budzinski (Ill.), Susie Lee (Nev.), Dr. Ami Bera (Calif.), George Whitesides (Calif.), Brad Sherman (Calif.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Marc Veasey (Texas), Maxine Waters (Calif.), Nanette Barragán (Calif.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), Wesley Bell (Mo.), Luz Rivas (Calif.), Gabe Amo (R.I.), Sarah McBride (Del.), Melanie Stansbury (N.M.) and Dave Min (Calif.).
Senior staff also joined our event, including Gideon Bragin and Christie Stephenson with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Owen Kilmer with Aguilar and Margaret Mulkerrin with Hoyer.
