#36: CIVICS 101: The Legislative Branch
Q&A #36: What are party caucuses or party conferences and party committees?
Our American Government
Our American Government is a small book published by the House of Representatives for citizens and those who seek a greater understanding of the American interpretation of democracy. It follows a question-and-answer format and covers a broad range of topics dealing with the three branches of our Government, the electoral process, and the role of political parties.
The Savvy Citizen is reproducing the 169 questions-and-answers through a series of posts called Civics 101. Each post will contain the Q&A as well as some additional commentary to add historical context, fun facts, or anything we believe will add to our collective understanding of these topics.
Think of it as your adult Civics class but without the test!
Let’s keep at it.
SECTION: The Legislative Branch: The Congress
Members, Offices, and Staff
Q&A #36: What are party caucuses or party conferences and party committees?
A party caucus or conference is the name given to a meeting, whether regular or specially called, of all party Members in the House or Senate. The term ‘‘caucus’’ or ‘‘conference’’ can also mean the organization of all party Members in the House or Senate.
House Democrats refer to their organization as a ‘‘caucus.’’ House and Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats call their three organizations as ‘‘conferences.’’ The caucus or conference officially elects party floor leaders, the party whips, and nominates each party’s candidates for the Speakership or President pro tempore and other officers in the House or Senate. The chairs of the party conferences and other subordinate party leaders are elected by vote of the conference or caucus at the beginning of each Congress. Regular caucus or conference meetings provide a forum in which party leaders and rank-and-file party Members can discuss party policy, pending legislative issues, and other matters of mutual concern.
The party caucus or conference also traditionally establishes party committees with specialized functions. Party committees generally nominate party Members to serve on the various committees of the House or Senate, subject to approval by the caucus or conference. Policy committees generally discuss party positions on pending legislation. Steering committees generally plan the schedule of Chamber action on pending legislation. Research committees conduct studies on broad policy questions, generally before committees of the House or Senate begin action on legislation. Campaign committees provide research and strategy assistance to party candidates for election to the House or Senate.
The chairs of party committees are generally elected by their respective party caucus or conference; the exception is the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which is chaired by the Speaker of the House (when the Democrats are in the majority) or by the Democratic floor leader (when they are in the minority).
The caucus or conference may also decide to appoint ‘‘task forces’’ to perform research on a new policy proposal, or to assist the formal leadership in developing a party position on important legislation. These ‘‘task forces’’ are traditionally disbanded once their work has been completed.
My Thoughts
A quick FYI —
Senators or Representatives registered as Independents always “caucus” or “conference” with Democrats or Republicans, since there aren’t enough Independent Members to form their own organization.
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Back next time with Q&A #37: What are caucuses, congressional Member organizations, and other similar groups?
Meanwhile, don’t forget that we’re organizing the post links on a single page available here.
xo,
Kelley for the Savvy Citizen Team
January 9, 2025