Cliques and Caucuses
Outside of the formal leadership structure, rank-and-file members of both parties can play an important role in shaping policy and legislation through participation in caucuses, coalitions, clubs, and alliances. These are informal groups of members who band together over common ideological, regional, industry-related, or ethnic interests. Most but not all caucuses are bipartisan, and many caucuses are composed of members from both chambers and both parties.
The first Congressional caucus was formed in 1959, and since that time the number has proliferated to more than 100 in the House of Representatives alone. Virtually every region, interest group, ethnicity, and cause has its own caucus.
The two most recognized and influential caucuses in Congress are the Congressional Black Caucus and the Blue Dog Democrats. Both groups wield considerable power over the House Democrats, although usually at opposite ends of the political spectrum. The Blue Dog Democrats are a group of fiscally conservative Democrats who frequently vote with the Republicans on economic matters, while the Congressional Black Caucus is almost always at odds with the opposition. In 2002, the Congressional Black Caucus played a pivotal role in ousting Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott from his leadership post after the Mississippi Republican made racially insensitive remarks.
