Explain the Democratic Caucus

Democratic Caucus sets the party's policy agenda in the House of Representatives.

The Democratic Caucus is a group of Democratic legislators in the United States House of Representatives who convene to build consensus on shared legislative goals with the intent of achieving legislative success. The caucus plays an important role in American history and is responsible for supporting landmark legislation as well as nominating presidential candidates.

History

The Democratic Caucus's first meeting was held April 1796 to contest a treaty with Great Britain on its proposed treatment of American sailors, claiming that the nation didn't provide enough protection to them. Since then, the caucus has met to develop party policy and a strategy for its implementation.
From 1796 to 1820 the caucus has selected presidential candidates. Three were later elected president---Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe.
The caucus is credited for major legislative achievements for its party. In 1930, for example, its members supported President Franklin Roosevelt's economic programs package, called the New Deal, providing enough backing to override resistance from Republicans who fought to block the legislation from passing.

Significance

Although there are many subgroups within the House that pursue legislative goals, the Democratic Caucus is the only one in which all Democratic legislators are members. It's the main policy-making body for all policy matters affecting the Democratic legislators of the House of Representatives.

Purpose

Its purpose is to ensure each Democratic member in the House has the resources he needs to institute his own legislative goals on behalf of the party, including making certain their members' ideas are in the forefront of policy discussion and debate.

Activities

The caucus names and selects the House Democratic leadership. It also approves committee assignments for its members, devises caucus rules and imposes party control when necessary. The caucus convenes regularly to brief party members of its legislative goals and the strategy for legislative success.

Caucus Leadership

The chairman and vice chairman are selected by members of the caucus through an election process prior to the start of each Congress. Members with the most support from their fellow colleagues assume these positions. U.S. Rep. John Larson of Connecticut now serves as the chairman and U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra of California is the vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus for the 111th Congress.

References

• House Democrats: The Democratic Caucus