The House Democratic Caucus is a congressional caucus composed of all Democratic representatives in the United States House of Representatives, voting and non-voting,[1] and is responsible for nominating and electing the Democratic Party leadership in the chamber. In its roles as a party conference, the caucus writes and enforces rules of conduct and discipline for its members, approves committee assignments, and serves as the primary forum for development of party policy and legislative priorities. It hosts weekly meetings for these purposes and to communicate the party's message to members.
The House Democratic Caucus, through its institutional antecedent, the Democratic-Republican caucus, was established on April 2, 1796, to stop a treaty with Great Britain which unfairly treated American sailors. For many years, through 1820, it nominated presidential candidates (before the era of national nominating conventions).
At the Organizational Meeting on November 18, 2008, of the Democratic Caucus for the 111th Congress, Representative John B. Larson (D-Connecticut) was elected Caucus chairman by acclamation. The election was presided over by the outgoing chairman of the Democratic Caucus for the 110th Congress, former representative Rahm Emanuel (D-Illinois). Rep. Larson officially assumed the position of chairman on the first day of the 111th Congress, January 3, 2009.
After his election as chairman at the Organizational Meeting on November 18, Chairman Larson presided over the election of Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-California), who defeated Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio by a vote count of 175 to 67. Rep. Becerra likewise assumed his vice-chairmanship on January 3.
The vice-chair of the Democratic Caucus ranks just below the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. In addition to other duties, the vice-chair has a seat on the Steering and Policy Committee.[17]
The office of secretary of the Democratic Caucus preceded the office of vice-chair. Until its elimination in 1987, the office of secretary was reserved for a female member of the House.[20]
^"Rules of the Democratic Caucus". House Democrats. p. 5. Retrieved March 9, 2023. Rule 1. Caucus Membership A. All Members of the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Delegates from American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands who are Members of the Democratic Party shall be prima facie Members of the Democratic Caucus of the House of Representatives.
^Caucus records show Representative
Niblack and Representative Randall as both having served as chairman during the Congress,
but no dates of service were specified.
^Representative Fernando Wood of New York nominated the Democratic leadership
slate in the House, but there is no other evidence to show he was elected caucus chairman.
^Available data show that Representative John F. House nominated Samuel J. Randall as the Democratic candidate for Speaker, the traditional role of the caucus chairman. Later data show W.S. Rosecrans issuing the next call for a Democratic Caucus
meeting, but there is no evidence to suggest that Rosecrans was actually elected caucus chairman.
^Former Parliamentarian Clarence Cannon's notes state "Cox died
during this Congress and [Representative James B.] McCreary evidently succeeded or acted for
him." However, Representative Cox died on September 10, 1889, six months after the sine die
adjournment of the 50th Congress and the convening of the 51st Congress.
^Caucus records are contradictory for this period. They show the election of Representative James Hay as chairman on January 19, 1911, but do not mention a resignation by incumbent chairman Clayton, nor do they specify that Hay was elected chairman for the new Congress. Later, they show the election of Representative Albert S. Burleson on April 11, 1911.
^Resigned from the House, October 5, 1930; there is no record of an election to fill the vacancy as caucus chair.
^Resigned following election as majority (floor) leader, September 16, 1940; records do not indicate that a successor was chosen during the remainder of the Congress.
^Died in office, May 31, 1963. Caucus chairman post vacant until
January 21, 1964.
^Representative Hoyer was elected Caucus Chairman on June 21, 1989, following
the June 14, 1989, election of Representative William (Bill) H. Gray III as Majority Whip.
^On January 16, 2006, Representative Menendez resigned from the House after
he was appointed to the Senate.
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