Congressional Constitution Caucus

Congressional Constitution Caucus
Chairman Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-5)
Co-Chair Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-1)
Political position Republican/Constitutional Conservatism
Colors "Republican Red" {#E91D0E}
Seats in the Senate
1 / 100
Seats in the House
52 / 435

The Congressional Constitution Caucus is a Congressional Member Organization made up of 53 members of the United States Congress who want to restrict legislation by the US Federal Government to the enumerated powers in the Constitution of the United States.[1] The caucus was founded in 2005.[2]

Ideology and Political Issues

The Caucus as a whole exists to promote a form of Conservatism known as Constitutional Conservatism, which emphasizes a strict interpretation of the United States Constitution. However, the group is more varied on social issues. Since the Caucus has no official stance on any social issues not specifically addressed within the United States Constitution, the stances of the individual members of the Caucus vary, but all current members of the Caucus fall under the classification of Social Conservatism.[3]

Political Activism

One of the stated purposes of the Caucus is to "provide an effective forum for education on founding principles and the appropriate limitations of congressional action."[4] As a result, the Caucus and its members have, since the Caucus's founding, engaged in numerous public and private events to try and educate the members of Congress and the public on various Constitutionally Conservative issues and ititiatives.[5]

Constitutional Justification Legislation

One of the core stances of the Congressional Constitution Caucus is their work to pass legislation mandating that all future laws passed by the Federal Government include a clause stating from which section of the Constitution the bill draws its power from. Beginning in the 112th United States Congress, a version of this rule was in effect.[6] After this victory by the Constitution Caucus, Chairman Scott Garrett (NJ-5) unsuccessfully proposed a change to the Rules of the House stating that any legislation could be opposed by any single member of Congress if it could not be justified under the United States Constitution.[7]

Affordable Care Act Individual Mandate

  For Obamacare Individual Mandate

Since the passing of the Affordable Care Act, the Caucus and its members have been extremely outspoken and vocal critics of the Individual Mandate Clause of the ACA. Members of the Caucus have stated that the Clause "...effectively allows the government to micromanage its citizen's lives."[8]

Membership

As of the 115th Congress, the Congressional Constitution Caucus has 53 members. 52 in the House, and 1 in the Senate. The current members of the Caucus are listed below, ranked alphabetically.[9]

The Districts of Caucus Members (as of the 114th Congress) are highlighted in red.

Leadership

Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05)

Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01)

Members

Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06)

Rep. Kevin Brady (TX-08)

Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05)

Rep. Larry Bucshon (IN-08)

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT-03)

Rep. Michael Conaway (TX-11)

Rep. Curt Clawson (FL-19)

Rep. John Culberson (TX-07)

Rep. John Duncan (TN-02)

Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-05)

Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-02)

Sen. Corey Gardner (R-CO)- Currently the only member of the Caucus in the United States Senate.

Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH-7)

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA-06)

Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-01)

Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)

Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-49)

Rep. Lynn Jenkins (KS-02)

Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-04)

Rep. Steve King (IA-05)

Rep. John Kline (MN-02)

Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

Rep. Robert Latta (OH-05)

Rep. Billy Long (MO-07)

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03)

Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-04)

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05)

Rep. Mick Mulvaney (SC-05)

Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22)

Rep. Steve Pearce (NM-02)- Left the Caucus in 2009 but rejoined in 2011.

Rep. Joe Pitts (PA-16)

Rep. Bill Posey (FL-8)

Rep. Mike Pompeo (KS-04)

Rep. Tom Price (GA-16)

Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03)

Rep. Tom Reed (NY-23)

Rep. Mike Rodgers (AL-3)

Rep. Dennis A. Ross (FL-12)

Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03)

Rep. Lamar Smith (TX-21)

Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-02)

Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-05)

Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02)

Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-07)- Left the Caucus in 2009, but rejoined in 2011.

Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02)

Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01)

Former Members

Fmr. Co-Chair Rep. Marlin Stutzman (IN-03)- Was defeated in the 2016 Republican primary for Indiana's 3rd congressional district.

Rep. Rodney Alexander (LA-05)- Was appointed to be Louisiana's Secretary of Veteran's Affairs.

Rep. Steve Southerland (FL-02)- Lost Re-election in 2014

Rep. Spencer Bachus (AL-06)- Retired from Congress

Rep. Paul Broun (GA-10)- Lost the Georgia Primary for his District.

Rep. John B.T. Campbell III (CA-48)- Retired from Congress.

Rep. Renee Ellmers (NC-02)- Defeated in the 2016 General Election.

Rep. John Fleming (LA-04)- Chose to run for Louisiana Senate.

Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA-11)- Ran for the Georgia Senate in 2014.

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (KS-01)- Defeated in the 2016 Republican Primary.

Rep. David Jolly (Fl-13)- Vacated his seat to run for Florida Senate. Then dropped out of Senate race to rerun for House seat that he vacated, citing "unfinished business." Then was defeated in the 2016 General Election.

Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY)- Defeated in the 2016 General Election.

Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC-07)- Retired from Congress.

Rep. Steve Stockman (TX-36)- Ran for the Texas Senate in 2014. Did not defend his Seat.

Rep. John Runyan (NJ-03)- Was hired by the NFL to be their Vice President of the Policy and Rules Administration.

Rep. Scott Rigell (VA-02)- Retired from Congress.

Rep. Alan Nunnelee (MS-01)- Died in office after undergoing surgery for a brain tumor.

Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05)- Defeated in the 2016 General Election.

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (TX-19)- Defeated in the 2016 General Election.

Rep. Jeff Miller (FL-01)- Defeated in the 2016 General Election.

Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10)- Gave up her seat to run for Maycomb County Public Works Commissioner.

References

The official website of the Congressional Constitutional Caucus can be found here: http://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/

  1. ↑ "About Us". Congressional Constitution Caucus. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  2. ↑ Hooper, Molly K. (21 May 2010). "Constitution is this year's big best-seller". The Hill. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  3. ↑ http://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/purpose-mission-goals|title=Congressional Constitution Caucus Goals and Purpose
  4. ↑ http://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/purpose-mission-goals|title=Congressional Constitution Caucus Purpose and Goals.
  5. ↑ http://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/events/archive|title=Congressional Constitution Caucus Events Archive
  6. ↑ http://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/issue/constitutional-justification
  7. ↑ http://garrett.house.gov/issues/constitution
  8. ↑ http://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/issue/individual-mandate
  9. ↑ https://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/membership
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