House Democratic Caucus

Current hierarchy

Effective with the start of the 119th Congress, the chain of command conference leadership is as follows (from highest to lowest):

• Hakeem Jeffries (NY–8) as House Minority Leader (Caucus Leader)
• Katherine Clark (MA–5) as House Minority Whip
• Pete Aguilar (CA–33) as Caucus Chairman
• Ted Lieu (CA–36) 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 2023, the House Democratic leader has been Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York (the first African-American congressional party leader in U.S. history). He was elected to succeed longtime Democratic leader and the first woman speaker of the House in U.S. history Nancy Pelosi.

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.

Leaders of the House Democratic Caucus

Notes

List of chairs{{Anchor|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 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 (1999–2003)
• Jim Clyburn (2003–2006)
• John B. Larson (2006–2009)
• Xavier Becerra (2009–2012)
• Joe Crowley (2012–2017)
• Linda Sánchez (2017–2019)
• Katherine Clark (2019–2021)
• Pete Aguilar (2021–2023)
• Ted Lieu (2023–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.

• Chase G. Woodhouse (1949–1951)
• Edna F. Kelly (1953–1957, 1964–1965)
• Leonor K. Sullivan (1959–1964, 1965–1975)
• Patsy Mink (1975–1977)
• Shirley Chisholm (1977–1981)
• Geraldine Ferraro (1981–1985)
• Mary Rose Oakar (1985–1987)

References

References

1. "Rules of the Democratic Caucus".
2. Mizelle, Shawna. (2023-01-04). "Hakeem Jeffries to make history as the first Black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress {{!}} CNN Politics".
3. No clear records remain for this Congress.
4. No clear records remain for this Congress.
5. No clear records remain for these Congresses.
6. Caucus records are contradictory for this period. They show the election of Representative [[James Hay (politician). 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.
7. Resigned from the House, October 5, 1930; there is no record of an election to fill the vacancy as caucus chair.
8. 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.
9. (2018-11-28). "Hakeem Jeffries defeats Barbara Lee in battle for Dem Caucus chair". Politico.
10. "Archived copy".
11. "Center for American Women and Politics".
12. "Archived copy".
13. [https://books.google.com/books?id=-4SddBE1Jf0C&dq=democratic+caucus+secretary+ferraro+mink+oakar&pg=PA108 ''Congressional Women'': On the Secretary position]