Thoughts on Congressional Caucuses

Congressional Member Organizations (CMOs), more commonly known as Congressional Caucuses, are an excellent tool for Members of Congress, particularly in the United States House of Representatives, to use as they work to represent their constituents. Other names that CMOs are known by include Congressional coalitions, study groups, task forces, and working groups.

CMOs are formed by Members of Congress to advance shared policy objectives. They are typically bipartisan, although bipartisanship is not a requirement. While CMOs are informal organizations in the Senate, there is a registration process in the House.

Under its “Member Services” tab on its website, the House Administration Committee has a subtab named “Congressional Member and Staff Organizations.” It details the registration requirements, which include a Member office sending a letter on official letterhead to the Committee with the following information: (1) CMO Name; (2) Statement of Purpose; (3) Officers of the CMO; and (4) the name, phone number and email address of the appropriate staff contact.

The House Administration Committee provides lists of CMOs by Congress dating back to the 107th Congress. To give a sense of their number, the list of CMOs in the 118th Congress was 110 pages long. As of January 10, 2025, the list of CMOs is seven pages long and includes 35 CMOs. They range from the Congressional Aggregates Caucus to the Sustainable Investment Caucus.

CMOs are often directed toward policies, geographies, and interests, which often include diseases or medical conditions. For example, one of the most effective caucuses has traditionally been the bipartisan House Biofuels Caucus. While it has not yet been registered in the 119th Congress, it has a great record of working to successfully advance policies related to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Congressional Western Caucus, which has been registered this Congress, is another example of a vibrant caucus that works to advance public policy to address challenges faced by the western geography of our nation. The bipartisan Congressional Dyslexia Caucus is a current example of a caucus that works to advance policies of importance to address dyslexia.

Members can use caucus membership in different manners. For example, if you are a Member serving on Ways and Means from a midwestern state with a large corn grower and ethanol refiner constituency, it makes tremendous sense to serve on the House Biofuels Caucus. Although Ways and Means is a great and powerful committee, its jurisdiction does not include issues related to the RFS. Thus, participation in the Biofuels Caucus offers that Member the opportunity to be highly engaged and effective in advancing policies of importance to the RFS. Additionally, if a Member’s district has a large Brazilian population or strong trade ties to Brazil, it would make sense to serve on the Congressional Brazil Caucus. Similarly, Members often serve on caucuses at the request of their constituents.?

As a staffer supporting a Member’s participation in a Congressional caucus, one should be careful to ensure that the caucus does not unnecessarily antagonize or alienate committee or House leadership. One also should think about how the Member’s caucus participation can help advance their committee’s and House Leadership’s priorities or work. Additionally, staff should think about how to use participation in a caucus to help a Member achieve their own goals. For example, a Member who serves on the House Committee on Agriculture but aspires to serve on Ways and Means could take an active role in the Congressional Ag Trade Caucus to demonstrate their interest and ability.

Finally, in my view, Members should be careful not to join too many Congressional caucuses. Congressional caucus participation should be viewed as a way to expand a Member’s legislative and representative opportunities and through a strategic lens. Congressional caucus participation should also supplement or complement committee assignments. If a Member joins every caucus, they may as well not be on any caucus.