Progressive groups are preparing to primary any House Democrat who votes against a war powers resolution constraining the Trump administration from carrying out military operations in Iran, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The threat raises the stakes of a highly charged Thursday vote which has split a group of hawkish Democratic centrists from the rest of their party. - "Any Democrat voting against this resolution is really voting against the base of the party, and it will be a very politically perilous vote," a senior progressive House Democrat told Axios. - The lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans that have not been previously publicized, said there are "several progressive groups that will primary…
Roughly half of House and Senate Democrats skipped President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, an Axios headcount found. Why it matters: The massive boycott represents a shift in American political norms as the party's grassroots have pressed lawmakers to be more partisan and less conciliatory towards Republicans. - Several members of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) senior leadership team were among the lawmakers who boycotted the speech, most notably Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.). - "Rather than listen to Donald Trump lie to the American people, I will be hearing from the people of my district," Clark said in a statement ahead of the speech. By the numbers: Axios counted 20 Senate Democrats and…