The House Democratic Caucus is a
congressional caucus composed of all Democratic Representatives in the
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together the ...
and is responsible for nominating and electing the
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
leadership in the chamber. In its roles as a
party conference
The terms party conference ( UK English), political convention ( US and Canadian English), and party congress usually refer to a general meeting of a political party. The conference is attended by certain delegates who represent the party mem ...
, the
caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeting ...
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 caucus has a
Caucus Chairman
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeti ...
and
Caucus Vice-Chair (formerly called the Secretary). For the
117th Congress,
Hakeem Jeffries was re-elected as the
Caucus Chairman
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeti ...
, and Pete Aguilar was chosen as the
Caucus Vice Chair to succeed
Katherine Clark
Katherine Marlea Clark (born July 17, 1963) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district since 2013. She has been Assistant House Democratic Leader (officially Assistant Spe ...
, who became the
Assistant Speaker.
Current hierarchy
Effective with the start of the
117th Congress, the chain of command conference leadership is as follows (from highest to lowest):
*
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Patricia Pelosi (; ; born March 26, 1940) is an American politician who has served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2019 and previously from 2007 to 2011. She has represented in the United States House of ...
(
CA) as
Speaker of the House
The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England.
Usage
The title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hunger ...
(Caucus Leader)
*
Steny Hoyer (
MD) as
House Majority Leader
Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives, also known as floor leaders, are congresspeople who coordinate legislative initiatives and serve as the chief spokespersons for their parties on the House floor. These leaders are el ...
*
Jim Clyburn
James Enos Clyburn (born July 21, 1940) is an American politician and retired educator serving as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina. He has served as House Majority Whip since 2019. He is a two-time ma ...
(
SC) as
House Majority Whip
*
Katherine Clark
Katherine Marlea Clark (born July 17, 1963) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district since 2013. She has been Assistant House Democratic Leader (officially Assistant Spe ...
(
MA) as
Assistant Speaker of the House (Assistant Leader)
*
Hakeem Jeffries (
NY) as
Caucus Chairman
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to a meeti ...
*
Pete Aguilar
Peter Rey Aguilar (; born June 19, 1979) is an American politician serving as the United States representative from California's 31st congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, Aguilar was elected House Democratic Caucus chair on ...
(
CA) as
Caucus Vice Chair
Leadership history
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).
Since 2003, the House Democratic Leader has been Rep.
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Patricia Pelosi (; ; born March 26, 1940) is an American politician who has served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2019 and previously from 2007 to 2011. She has represented in the United States House of ...
of California (the first female
Speaker of the House
The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England.
Usage
The title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hunger ...
in U.S. history). She has served twice as Speaker, from 2007 - 2011 and from 2019 to present.
At the Organizational Meeting on November 18, 2008, of the Democratic Caucus for the
111th Congress
The 111th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011. It began during the last weeks of the George W. Bush administration, with ...
, Representative
John B. Larson (D-
Connecticut
Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its cap ...
) was elected Caucus Chairman by acclamation. The election was presided over by the outgoing chairman of the Democratic Caucus for the
110th Congress
The 110th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, between January 3, 2007, and January 3, 2009, during the last two years of the Presidency of George W. Bush. It was composed ...
, former Representative
Rahm Emanuel
Rahm Israel Emanuel (; born November 29, 1959) is an American politician and diplomat who is the current United States Ambassador to Japan. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served two terms as the 55th Mayor of Chicago from 2011 ...
(D-
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Roc ...
). 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
Xavier Becerra ( ; ; born January 26, 1958) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 25th United States secretary of health and human services since March 2021. Becerra previously served as the attorney general of California from J ...
(D-
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
), who defeated Representative
Marcy Kaptur
Marcia Carolyn Kaptur (; born June 17, 1946) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 1983. A member of the Democratic Party, Kaptur is the longest-serving woman in either chamber of Congress, and the second-longes ...
of
Ohio
Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...
by a vote count of 175 to 67. Rep. Becerra likewise assumed his
vice-chairmanship on January 3.
Leaders of the House Democratic Caucus
Notes
List of chairmen
Chairs are currently limited to two consecutive terms.
List of vice-chairs
The vice-chair of the Democratic Caucus ranks just below the
Chair
A chair is a type of seat, typically designed for one person and consisting of one or more legs, a flat or slightly angled seat and a back-rest. They may be made of wood, metal, or synthetic materials, and may be padded or upholstered in vari ...
of the House Democratic Caucus. In addition to other duties, the vice-chair has a seat on the
Steering and Policy Committee.
*
Mary Rose Oakar (1987–1989)
*
Steny Hoyer (1989)
*
Vic Fazio (1989–1995)
*
Barbara B. Kennelly (1995–1999)
*
Bob Menendez
Robert Menendez (; born January 1, 1954) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from New Jersey, a seat he has held since 2006. Gale Biography In Context. A member of the Democratic Party, he was fir ...
(1999–2003)
*
Jim Clyburn
James Enos Clyburn (born July 21, 1940) is an American politician and retired educator serving as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina. He has served as House Majority Whip since 2019. He is a two-time ma ...
(2003–2006)
*
John B. Larson (2006–2009)
*
Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra ( ; ; born January 26, 1958) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 25th United States secretary of health and human services since March 2021. Becerra previously served as the attorney general of California from J ...
(2009–2012)
*
Joe Crowley
Joseph Crowley (born March 16, 1962) is an American politician and consultant who served as U.S. Representative from New York's 14th congressional district from 1999 to 2019. He was defeated by Democratic primary challenger Alexandria Ocasio ...
(2012–2017)
*
Linda Sánchez (2017–2019)
*
Katherine Clark
Katherine Marlea Clark (born July 17, 1963) is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district since 2013. She has been Assistant House Democratic Leader (officially Assistant Spe ...
(2019–2021)
*
Pete Aguilar
Peter Rey Aguilar (; born June 19, 1979) is an American politician serving as the United States representative from California's 31st congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, Aguilar was elected House Democratic Caucus chair on ...
(2021–present)
List of secretaries
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.
''Congressional Women'': On the Secretary position
/ref>
* Chase G. Woodhouse (1949–1951)
* Edna F. Kelly
Edna Kelly (née Flannery; August 20, 1906 – December 14, 1997) was an American politician who served ten terms as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York from 1949 to 1969.
Biography
Kelly was born ...
(1953–1957, 1964)
* Leonor K. Sullivan
Leonor Kretzer Sullivan (August 21, 1902 – September 1, 1988) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri. She was a Democrat and the first woman in Congress from Missouri.
Biography
Born Leonor Kretzer in St. Loui ...
(1959–1975, except 1964)
* Patsy Mink (1975–1977)
* Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Anita Chisholm ( ; ; November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) was an American politician who, in 1968, became the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress. Chisholm represented New York's 12th congressional dist ...
(1977–1981)
* Geraldine Ferraro
Geraldine Anne Ferraro (August 26, 1935 March 26, 2011) was an American politician, diplomat, and attorney. She served in the United States House of Representatives from 1979 to 1985, and was the Democratic Party's vice presidential nominee ...
(1981–1985)
* Mary Rose Oakar (1985–1987)
See also
* Republican Conference of the United States House of Representatives
* Congressional caucus
References
External links
Official site of the Democratic Caucus
{{DEFAULTSORT:Democratic Caucus Of The United States House Of Representatives
Caucuses of the United States Congress
Caucus of the United States House of Representatives
Leaders of the United States House of Representatives