In a unanimous vote, California Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee and Lynn Woolsey were elected to serve as co-chairwomen of the Congressional Progressive Caucus on Tuesday.[IMGCAP(1)]

Lee said in a statement that the caucus will continue its commitment to “the basic principles of fairness and justice.”

The 55 members of the Progressive Caucus, the largest within the Democratic Caucus, “share a common belief in the principles of social and economic justice, non-discrimination, and tolerance in America and in our relationships with other countries,” according to the the group’s Web site.

“The Bush Administration is taking us down a treacherous path in regards to our domestic budget priorities and international policies,” Woolsey said in a press release, as she added that she looks forward to working with caucus members to protect civil rights, promote renewable energy sources and support U.S. troops.

A Lobbyist Is Born. The newly expanded and renamed firm Lundquist, Nethercutt & Griles has added another lobbyist. Robert Neal, a policy adviser to recently retired Rep. George Nethercutt (R-Wash.), has reunited with his boss.

“Rob and I have been a team for a decade,” Nethercutt said in a statement. Neal, 32, will focus on Defense appropriations and policy. He said he joined the firm because of its “extraordinary group of folks. I think we really bring a lot to the table.”

Caucus Creation. With several members of the Croatian government on hand, Reps. George Radanovich (R-Calif.) and Peter Visclosky (D-Ind.) officially launched the Congressional Croatian Caucus at a ceremony last week in the Rayburn House Office Building.

The two co-chairmen said that as of last Tuesday 41 Members had joined the caucus, which was created to promote U.S. and Croatian mutual interests, including supporting Croatia’s integration into NATO and the European Union.

Neven Jurica, Croatian ambassador to the United States, said the caucus’ formation serves as “yet another important event in the Croatian-American partnership.”

— Jennifer Lash, Kate Ackley and John McArdle