Breaking: Democratic Party of Hawai’i says Blue Dog Ed Case’s actions do not reflect the values of the Party

News Release from Gary Hooser, January 9, 2022 

This is really remarkable news: On Saturday, January 8th, the Democratic Party of Hawai’i State Central Committee (SCC) passed a Resolution expressing disappointment with Blue Dog Democrat Congressman Ed Case over his position, action, and inaction with regards to the national Build Back Better agenda. (complete Resolution is copied below) The vote was 46 – 19.

As a long-time member and former Vice-Chair of the Party, I don’t recall the SCC ever taking such an action before. The Resolution speaks for itself and I encourage all to read it through to the end.

Here: I’ll help you get to the end by jumping there now –

“WHEREAS, Congressman Ed Case’s actions have resulted in Build Back Better legislation that will likely contain fewer benefits to Hawai’i’s working families, including weaker provisions regarding Medicare programs accessed by retirees, less robust early child care support for Hawai’i keiki, a lack of free community college and trade schools, and limited paid family leave insurance; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Hawai’i expresses its disappointment in the actions of Congressman Ed Case regarding passage of the Build Back Better agenda; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Hawai’i hereby notes that the actions of Congressman Ed Case with regard to the passage of Build Back Better legislation do not reflect the values and principles of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i as outlined in our platform, prior adopted resolutions, and mission statement;”

Mahalo to SCC member and public school teacher Justin Hughey for taking the initiative to introduce the Resolution.

The full Resolution is as follows:

WHEREAS, the passage of the Build Back Better Act is the top priority of President Biden and an overwhelming majority of Democrats in both chambers of Congress; and

WHEREAS, the original version of Build Back Better Act contained provisions to support workers, families, children, students, retirees, affordable housing, climate change mitigation, and additional components that were described by analysts as transformative for America’s social safety net, infrastructure, and climate action plans; and

WHEREAS, Democrats currently hold a slim majority in the United States House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Hawai’i Congressman Ed Case is Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition in the United States House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, numerous media sources have reported and Congressman Ed Case has acknowledged that Blue Dog Coalition members leveraged their disproportionate power stemming from the slim Democratic majority to delay the passage of the Build Back Better Act in the United States House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, delaying passage of the Build Back Better agenda has contributed greatly to the weakening of that agenda, which has been modified from a $6 trillion proposal to a $1.75 trillion proposal through the elimination of core ideas, such as making college more affordable; and

WHEREAS, Congressman Ed Case further contributed to the weakening of the Build Back Better program by supporting efforts to delink passage of its initiatives to strengthen the United States’ social safety net from provisions funding infrastructure improvements; and

WHEREAS, all other members of the Hawai’i congressional delegation have publicly supported and sought to strengthen each of the components contained in the original Build Back Better legislation; and

WHEREAS, Congressman Ed Case’s actions have resulted in Build Back Better legislation that will likely contain fewer benefits to Hawai’i’s working families, including weaker provisions regarding Medicare programs accessed by retirees, less robust early child care support for Hawai’i keiki, a lack of free community college and trade schools, and limited paid family leave insurance; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Hawai’i expresses its disappointment in the actions of Congressman Ed Case regarding passage of the Build Back Better agenda; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Hawai’i hereby notes that the actions of Congressman Ed Case with regard to the passage of Build Back Better legislation do not reflect the values and principles of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i as outlined in our platform, prior adopted resolutions, and mission statement; and

BE IT RESOLVED that copies of this resolution shall be distributed to President Biden, United States House Speaker Pelosi, all Members of Congress who are Democrats, all members of the Democratic National Committee, local and national press organizations, and be posted prominently on the Democratic Party of Hawai’i website and social media pages.

Full Disclosure: I am a member of the SCC, and while not a sponsor of the Resolution, I did vote in enthusiastic support of its passage. It is also common knowledge that I am a supporter of Sergio Alcubilla who is challenging Ed Case in the upcoming August 13 primary election. If you are interested in finding out why I am supporting Sergio, please read “Why Choose Challenger Sergio Alcubilla Over Blue Dog Ed Case?” 

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CB: Case says the party mischaracterizes his position and never bothered to call him.