Senate Democratic Caucus: Difference between revisions
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{{United States Senate}} |
{{United States Senate}} |
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The '''Senate Democratic Caucus''' (or '''Conference''') is the formal organization of the current 57 [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic]] Senators in the [[United States Senate]]. In the [[111th Congress]], the Democratic Caucus additionally includes two [[independent (politician)|independent]] senators who formally caucus with the Democrats for the purpose of committee assignments and Senate organization, |
The '''Senate Democratic Caucus''' (or '''Conference''') is the formal organization of the current 57 [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic]] Senators in the [[United States Senate]]. In the [[111th Congress]], the Democratic Caucus additionally includes two [[independent (politician)|independent]] senators who formally caucus with the Democrats for the purpose of committee assignments and Senate organization, bringing the total to 59. The primary organizational front for Democrats in the Senate, its primary function is communicating the party's message to and unifying all of its members. Caucus leadership consists of Senator [[Harry Reid]] [[Nevada|(NV)]] as [[United States Senate Democratic Conference Chairman|Chairman]] and [[Senate Majority Leader]], Senator [[Dick Durbin]] [[Illinois|(IL)]] as [[Senate Majority Whip|Whip]] or Assistant Majority Leader, Senator [[Charles Schumer]] [[New York|(NY)]] as Vice-Chairman, and Senator [[Patty Murray]] [[Washington|(WA)]] as [[United States Senate Democratic Conference Secretary|Secretary]]. The two independent members are Senators [[Joe Lieberman]] of [[Connecticut]] and [[Bernie Sanders]] of [[Vermont]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The Caucus was formally organized on March 6, 1903, electing a chairman to preside over its members and a secretary to keep minutes. Until that time, the caucus was often disorganized, philosophically divided, and had neither firm written rules of governance nor a clear mission. |
The Caucus was formally organized on March 6, 1903, electing a chairman to preside over its members and a secretary to keep minutes. Until that time, the caucus was often disorganized, philosophically divided, and had neither firm written rules of governance nor a clear mission. |
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===111th Congress=== |
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The [[111th Congress]] opened on January 2, 2009 with 56 Democrats and two independents in the caucus, for a total of 58 members. The membership has changed a few times since then: |
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*The party change of [[Arlen Specter]] from (Republican to Democratic) on April 28, 2009 brought the total to 59. |
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* When Democratic Senator [[Al Franken]] of [[Minnesota]] was sworn in on July 7, 2009, membership increased to 60. |
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* Membership dropped back to 59 at the death of [[Massachusetts]] Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] on August 26th. |
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* Membership will increase back to 60 on the swearing-in of [[Paul G. Kirk]], the designated interim replacement for Ted Kennedy. |
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==List of caucus chairpersons== |
==List of caucus chairpersons== |
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Revision as of 03:52, 25 September 2009
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The Senate Democratic Caucus (or Conference) is the formal organization of the current 57 Democratic Senators in the United States Senate. In the 111th Congress, the Democratic Caucus additionally includes two independent senators who formally caucus with the Democrats for the purpose of committee assignments and Senate organization, bringing the total to 59. The primary organizational front for Democrats in the Senate, its primary function is communicating the party's message to and unifying all of its members. Caucus leadership consists of Senator Harry Reid (NV) as Chairman and Senate Majority Leader, Senator Dick Durbin (IL) as Whip or Assistant Majority Leader, Senator Charles Schumer (NY) as Vice-Chairman, and Senator Patty Murray (WA) as Secretary. The two independent members are Senators Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
History
The Caucus was formally organized on March 6, 1903, electing a chairman to preside over its members and a secretary to keep minutes. Until that time, the caucus was often disorganized, philosophically divided, and had neither firm written rules of governance nor a clear mission.
111th Congress
The 111th Congress opened on January 2, 2009 with 56 Democrats and two independents in the caucus, for a total of 58 members. The membership has changed a few times since then:
- The party change of Arlen Specter from (Republican to Democratic) on April 28, 2009 brought the total to 59.
- When Democratic Senator Al Franken of Minnesota was sworn in on July 7, 2009, membership increased to 60.
- Membership dropped back to 59 at the death of Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy on August 26th.
- Membership will increase back to 60 on the swearing-in of Paul G. Kirk, the designated interim replacement for Ted Kennedy.
List of caucus chairpersons
- John W. Stevenson (inception-1877)
- William A. Wallace (1877-1881)
- George H. Pendleton (1881-1885)
- James B. Beck (1885-1890)
- Arthur P. Gorman (1890-1898)
- David Turpie (1898-1899)
- James K. Jones (1899-1903)
- Arthur P. Gorman (1903-1906)[1]
- Joseph Clay Stiles Blackburn (1906-1907)
- Charles A. Culberson (1907-1909)
- Hernando D. Money (1909-1911)
- Thomas S. Martin (1911-1913)
- John Worth Kern (1913-1917)
- Thomas S. Martin (1917-1919)
- Oscar W. Underwood (1920-1923)[2]
- Joseph T. Robinson (1923-1937)
- Alben W. Barkley (1937-1949)
- Scott W. Lucas (1949-1951)
- Ernest W. McFarland (1951-1953)
- Lyndon B. Johnson (1953-1961)
- Mike Mansfield (1961-1977)
- Robert C. Byrd (1977-1989)
- George J. Mitchell (1989-1995)
- Thomas A. Daschle (1995-2005)
- Harry M. Reid (2005-present)
Vice Chairmanship
After the victory of Democrats in the Midterm Elections of 2006, an overwhelming majority of the caucus thought of rewarding Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a position in the hierarchy after knocking off six incumbent Republicans. In response, Democratic Leader Harry Reid created a position of the Vice Chairman, making it the third ranking Democratic position, after Leader and Whip.
- Chuck Schumer (2007-Present)
References
- ^ Gorman was the first elected by a formally organized caucus. See Senate.gov
- ^ Beginning in 1920, the Democratic Conference chairperson also served as Democratic floor leader. In that year, Oscar Underwood became the first officially designated Democratic floor leader, and the tradition of combining the two positions continues to this day.
Bibliography
- Donald A. Ritchie (ed). Minutes of the Senate Democratic Conference: Fifty-eighth through Eighty-eighth Congress, 1903-1964. Washington, D.C., GPO, 1999. Available online in PDF or Text format.
External links
- Official Home of the Senate Democratic Caucus on the Internet
- Senate Party Leadership -- Much of this article's content was adapted from this useful public domain resource.
- First Formal Organization of the Senate Democratic Caucus