NY Democratic Congressional Delegation Calls On Breakaway Dems To Return To Democratic Fold

The fight in the State Senate between the Independent Democratic Conference and the chamber's mainline Democratic contingent drew another national branch of the party into the fight, as all of the New York's Democratic members serving in the House of Representatives sent a letter asking the IDC and Simcha Felder to rejoin the party.

In an example of the increasing pressure being put on the IDC and Felder, nominal Democrats who conference with the State Senate's Republican minority and thus give them control of the chamber, every Democratic member of the House from New York State is now involved in the state-level power struggle. After noting that the victory of Democratic candidate Brian Benjamin in a special election earlier this week gave Democrats a 32-31 advantage in the State Senate, the letter then acknowledges that Democrats still don't control the chamber, and goes on to say:

This reality is devastating, particularly for hardworking New Yorkers because Republicans are intent on advancing President Donald Trump's agenda. The people across new York State have spoken and their wishes should be honored.

Now is the time for all Democrats to return to the Democratic Conference to work collaboratively to benefit all New Yorkers, and fight unitedly against President Trump's agenda.

that the letter was even signed by Representative Adriano Espaillat, who has been endorsed by State Senator Jeff Klein, the leader of the IDC, and who himself endorsed State Senator Marisol Alcantara when she ran for his empty seat.

While the letter is just a letter, and doesn't do much more than ask the IDC and Felder to return to the fold, it follows the DNC sending a similar letter sent eariler this week asking the breakaway Democrats to come back:

However, just in time for this call for unity from a federal level, Bill de Blasio appeared with Jeff Klein at an event marking the passage of a bill that expanded a property tax exemption for senior citizens, and praised the state senator.

"There’s too many people up in Albany who don’t think highly of New York City," the mayor said according to the News. "But I know you defend our interests every day and I thank you for that."