Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) said over the weekend that the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have a place within the Democratic Party.
“Yes, they do, as part of the debate,” Van Hollen told Kristen Welker of “Meet the Press.” He noted, “I’m not going to sort of look into all these endorsements. I’m not going to reject an endorsement by certain individuals at the DSA. But I’m certainly not seeking the endorsement from the DSA.”
The senator explained that he believed that the conversation surrounding the DSA is “an effort by Republicans” to “reduce, you know, the turnout for Democrats.”
“I don’t think it’s going to work, because at the end of the day what unites Democrats is economic populism, standing up for working people,” he continued.
“I think that those in the Democratic Party who are afraid of a healthy debate are missing the point,” Van Hollen also explained. “Because voters, including Democratic voters, they don’t want to simply return to the pre-Trump status quo. They want Democrats who are going to stand for something. And I can strongly disagree with one set of Democrats, but I think that debate is healthy.”
Van Hollen further clarified that there are some platform positions embraced by the DSA that are too extreme, such as abolishing the Senate. And I think a lot of the folks who are running, regardless of where they are on the Democratic spectrum, have rejected those ideas,” he said. “And so I think when you look at the Democratic Party right now, you’re looking at a party that, again, is incredibly united when it comes to making sure we’re out there, you know, standing up for working people.”
According to the DSA’s 2025-2026 program, socialists aim to obtain Medicare for all, provide free college, provide universal housing, create a 32-hour work week, tax the rich, vote for president through a popular vote, and reduce the authority of the Supreme Court, among other efforts.
