The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) proposed abolishing the Senate, a move that has not received support from prominent progressive lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). Ocasio-Cortez stated, "I’m a House member, we all hate the Senate," but emphasized the need to work within existing institutions, noting that such changes would require a constitutional convention.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) also expressed his opposition to abolishing the Senate, stating he prefers to abolish the filibuster instead. The DSA has seen growth, reaching 120,000 members, and is influencing the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, with candidates backed by the DSA winning primaries against incumbent Democrats.
The DSA's national platform includes various proposals, such as "Medicare for All" and abolishing the Senate, which some lawmakers, including Rep. Rebecca Balint (D-VT), argue would diminish representation for smaller states. Balint stated that abolishing the Senate would reduce Vermont's voice in Congress.
Democratic operatives have noted that the DSA's proposals may not be realistic for governance, highlighting a disconnect between activist goals and practical legislative processes. They suggest that while some DSA messages resonate with voters, proposals like abolishing the Senate are viewed as unrealistic.
The DSA's candidates may face challenges in balancing their activist agendas with the realities of legislative governance once in office.