New York State Representative Richie Torres (D.N.Y.) has left the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) after splitting with his fellow members over his stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
Torres, a staunch supporter of Israel, has left the CPC, a person familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday. New York state legislators are not listed on the caucus website.
Torres has abstained from calling for a ceasefire, a policy supported by some members of his caucus. His resignation is the latest shake-up in the caucus after Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Florida) left the CPC in November, her office confirmed to The Hill.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused some divisions within the Democratic Party. The war is now in its fourth month, with some Democratic lawmakers at odds with President Biden and other pro-Israel lawmakers. Some of the more progressive party members on Capitol Hill are unhappy with the Biden administration’s stance on the war.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), a squad member and one of the caucus vice chairs, has criticized Biden and his administration’s approach to the Israel-Hamas war. Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, was censured by the House in November for criticizing Israel. On Saturday, she told Michiganders to “vote irresponsibly” instead of supporting Biden in the upcoming Feb. 27 primary.
In the wake of the October 7 terrorist attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, some members of the squad, which is also affiliated with the CPC, are facing major challenges over their vocal criticism of the way Israel is conducting its war in Gaza. .
The caucus chair, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), has also come under scrutiny for her comments about Israel. In July she called Israel a “racist state,” but she later apologized for her own words.
Torres’ office and a CPC spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
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