Congressional Constitution Caucus

Political party in United States
Congressional Constitution Caucus
ChairmanNone
FoundersScott Garrett
Virginia Foxx
Rob Bishop
FoundedJanuary 3, 2005 (2005-01-03)[1]
Political positionRight-wing
Seats in the Senate
0 / 100
Seats in the House
26 / 435
Website
Official Caucus Website

The Congressional Constitution Caucus is a congressional caucus made up of 41 members of the United States Congress. The caucus was founded in 2005;[2] it had 37 members the first year it was founded.

The group was founded and formerly led by Republican U.S. Representative Scott Garrett of New Jersey,[3][4] who sought to push the Republican Party leadership to move increasingly to the right.[3]

Electoral results

House of Representatives

Election year Overall seats Republican seats ±
2004
37 / 435
37 / 232
2012
76 / 435
76 / 234
 +39
2016
68 / 435
68 / 241
 -8
2018
40 / 435
40 / 199
 -28
2020
26 / 435
26 / 212
 -14

History

The Caucus was informally created by Representatives J. D. Hayworth, John Shadegg, Sam Brownback, Bob Barr, and Richard Pombo in the 104th Congress. According to the group, its purpose was to encourage constitutional debate in Congress and the nation and, in time, to restore constitutional government.[5]

The Caucus was officially registered as a Congressional Member Organization in 2005 by Congressmen Scott Garrett, Virginia Foxx, and Rob Bishop. In a 2006 interview, the three described themselves as leading "...a team dedicated to downsizing the amount of power usurped from the states by the federal government."[6]

In 2011, the group's membership grew rapidly following the entrance of new Tea Party-aligned members elected in the 2010 elections.[3] In 2011, the Caucus and the Tea Party Caucus jointly sponsored a closed-door speech to the caucuses by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on the topic of "separation of powers."[7]

At its peak in the 113th Congress, the Congressional Constitution Caucus had 76 members. However, the caucus possessed over 100 members when it existed informally in the 104th Congress.[5]

Ideology and political issues

The members of the Caucus are strongly opposed to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and are outspoken opponents of the individual health mandate.[8] The group has supported constitutional challenges to the ACA. In 2014, after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected one such challenge in the case Sissel v. United States Department of Health & Human Services (ruling that the ACA did not violate the Origination Clause of the Constitution),[9] the Caucus issued a statement saying "The judges got it wrong."[10]

According to the founders of the Caucus, the main focus of the Caucus is to "ensure the federal government is operating under the intent of the 10th Amendment of our Bill of Rights." The Caucus has worked towards this goal through sponsoring legislation like H.R. 3449, H.R. 1227, and H.R. 1229.[6]

Membership

As of the 117th Congress, the Congressional Constitution Caucus has 41 members. 41 in the House, and 0 in the Senate. The current members of the Caucus are listed below, listed by state.[11]

The Districts of Caucus Members (as of the 114th Congress) are highlighted in red. Please note: Only Districts within the House of Representatives are shown. Senate Districts are excluded.
A map of Caucus member states as of the 115th Congress.

Leadership

  • None

Current members

Alabama
  • Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-3)
  • Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05)

Arizona

California

Colorado

Florida

Indiana

Kentucky

  • Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06)

Missouri

Michigan

New York

  • Rep. Tom Reed (NY-23)

Nebraska

  • Adrian Smith (NE-3, Gering)

Ohio

North Carolina

Pennsylvania

  • Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-15)

South Carolina

  • Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02)

Texas

Utah

  • Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-02)

Virginia

Washington (state)

Last updated: January 4, 2021

Former members

  • Fmr. Rep. John Shadegg (AZ-03) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2010, saying he will "pursue [his] commitment to fight for freedom in a different venue."[13]
  • Fmr. Co-Chair Rep. Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) - Was defeated in the 2016 Republican primary for Indiana's Class 3 Senate seat.[14]
  • Fmr. Rep. Rodney Alexander (LA-05) - Was appointed to be Louisiana's Secretary of Veteran's Affairs.[15]
  • Fmr. Rep. Steve Southerland (FL-02) - Lost Re-election in 2014.[16]
  • Fmr. Rep. Spencer Bachus (AL-06) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2014.[17]
  • Fmr. Rep. Paul Broun (GA-10) - Lost the Republican Primary for Georgia's 10th congressional district.[18]
  • Fmr. Rep. John B.T. Campbell III (CA-48) - Retired from Congress.[19]
  • Fmr. Rep. Renee Ellmers (NC-02) - Defeated in the 2016 Republican Primary.[20]
  • Fmr. Rep. John Fleming (LA-04) - Chose to run for Louisiana Senate.[21] Nominated by Donald Trump to be the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Technology[22]
  • Fmr. Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA-11) - Ran for Georgia Senate in 2014.[23]
  • Fmr. Rep. Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) - Defeated in the 2016 Republican Primary.[24]
  • Fmr. 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.[25]
  • Fmr. Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY) - Chose not to seek reelection in 2016.[26] Later elected as a United States Senator from Wyoming.
  • Fmr. Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC-07) - Retired from Congress.[27]
  • Fmr. Rep. Steve Stockman (TX-36) - Ran for the Texas Senate in 2014. Did not defend his Seat.[28][29]
  • Fmr. Rep. John Runyan (NJ-03) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2014, citing frustration with his fellow Republicans over the government shutdown.[30] Was hired by the NFL to be their Vice President of the Policy and Rules Administration.[31]
  • Fmr. Rep. Scott Rigell (VA-02) - Retired from Congress.[32]
  • Fmr. Rep. Alan Nunnelee (MS-01) - Died in office after undergoing surgery for a brain tumor.[33]
  • Fmr. Rep. Curt Clawson (FL-19) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016, citing the death of his mother as the main cause.[34]
  • Fmr. Rep. John Kline (MN-02) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016.[35]
  • Fmr. Rep. Joe Pitts (PA-16) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016.[36]
  • Fmr. Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016.[37]
  • Fmr. Rep. Randy Neugebauer (TX-19) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016.[38]
  • Fmr. Rep. Jeff Miller (FL-01) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016.[39]
  • Fmr. Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10) - Did not seek re-election in 2016[40] and resigned her seat in the House on December 31, 2016, in order to take office as Macomb County Public Works Commissioner the next day.[41]
  • Fmr. Rep. Mike Pompeo (KS-04) - Nominated by Donald Trump to be the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.[42]
  • Fmr. Rep. Tom Price (GA-06) - Nominated by Donald Trump to be the 23rd Secretary of Health and Human Services.[43]
  • Fmr. Rep. Mick Mulvaney (SC-05) - Nominated by Donald Trump to be the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.[44]
  • Fmr. Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) - Lost re-election in 2016; nominated by Donald Trump to be the head of the Export-Import Bank.
  • Fmr. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT-03) - Resigned on June 30, 2017.
  • Fmr. Rep. Lynn Jenkins (KS-02) - Chose not to run for re-election in 2018.[45]
  • Fmr. Co-Chair Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) Chose not to run for re-election in 2018.
  • Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) – only caucus member in the United States Senate and he lost reelection[46]
  • Rep. Steve Southerland (FL-02)
  • Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC-07)
  • Rep. Randy Neugebauer (TX-19)
  • Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22)

References

  1. ^ "About Us". Congressional Constitution Caucus. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  2. ^ Hooper, Molly K. (May 21, 2010). "Constitution is this year's big best-seller". The Hill. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Ramond Hernandez, Still an Ideological Oddity in New Jersey, but a Rising Force in His Party, The New York Times (April 18, 2011).
  4. ^ Jonathan Allen, Hill on Libya: Big bark, little bite, Politico (March 23, 2017).
  5. ^ a b "CATO Handbook for Congress" (PDF). Cato Institute. p. 22. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Congressional Caucus Defends Tenth Amendment". humanevents.com. May 10, 2006. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  7. ^ "Justice Scalia set to address Tea Party Caucus on Capitol Hill". CNN. January 21, 2011.
  8. ^ "Individual Mandate Press Release". Congressional Constitution Caucus. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  9. ^ "DC Court of Appeals ruling on Sisel vs. HHS" (PDF). DC Circuit Court of Appeals. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  10. ^ "Garrett Statement on Court of Appeals ruling gutting the Origination Clause". The Congressional Constitution Caucus. July 30, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  11. ^ "Membership of the Congressional Constitution Caucus". Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  12. ^ "Michigan Election Results 2010". The New York Times. November 7, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  13. ^ Norowick, Dan (January 15, 2010). "Shadegg will not seek reelection". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  14. ^ "Club for Growth backs Marlin Stutzman in second play for Indiana Senate Win". The Washington Examiner. July 20, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  15. ^ "On the Hill, NY Times praises Sen. Vitter and Rodney Alexander casts his last vote". Nola.com. September 27, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  16. ^ "Florida Election Results". November 7, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  17. ^ Ornstein, Norman (February 26, 2014). "The Exodus of Problem Solvers on Capitol Hill". The National Journal. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  18. ^ "Georgia Senate Runoff: Broun, Gingrey Leave Conservative Hole in House". 218. May 21, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  19. ^ "Congressman John Campbell Retiring". OC Political. June 27, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  20. ^ "Holding Defeats Ellmers in 2nd Congressional District". WNCN. June 7, 2016. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  21. ^ Deborah Barfield Berry (December 7, 2015). "Rep. Fleming officially enters Louisiana Senate race". The Shreveport Times. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  22. ^ "Former Rep John Fleming to join HHS under Trump". Press Herald. March 21, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  23. ^ "2014 Georgia Primary Elections". AP. May 22, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  24. ^ "Tea Party's Tim Huelskamp ousted by challenger Roger Marshall in Kansas congressional race". Kansas City Star. August 2, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  25. ^ Kopan, Tal (June 17, 2016). "David Jolly drops out of Florida Senate race, possibly clearing way for Marco Rubio". CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  26. ^ Randall, Doug (January 28, 2016). "Stubson touts Wyoming experience in run for Congress". KGAB AM650. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  27. ^ "North Carolina-7 David Rouzer(R)". The National Journal. Archived from the original on January 6, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2017.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  28. ^ "Cornyn Crushes Stockman in Texas Primary". Hotair.com. March 4, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  29. ^ "Babin wins Steve Stockman's Congressional Seat". Beaumont Enterprise. May 24, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  30. ^ Friedman, Matt (November 6, 2013). "Jon Runyan won't seek re-election to Congress". NJ.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  31. ^ "NFL names Jon Runyan VP of Policy and Rules Administration". National Football Association. May 16, 2016. Archived from the original on May 18, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  32. ^ "Congressman Scott Rigell will not run for reelection". WTKR.com. January 14, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  33. ^ "Alan Nunnelee, Mississippi congressman, dies at 56". The Clarion-Ledger. February 6, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  34. ^ King, Ledyard (May 20, 2016). "U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson won't seek re-election". The News-Press. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  35. ^ Marcos, Christina (September 3, 2015). "GOP chairman John Kline to retire". TheHill. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  36. ^ "Rep. Joe Pitts will not seek re-election to Congress in 2016". WFMZ-TV. 69 News. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  37. ^ "Congressman Rich Nugent announces intent to step down from Congress". Villages-News.com. November 2, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  38. ^ "U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer will not seek re-election". KTXS-TV. September 17, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  39. ^ Isern, Will (March 10, 2016). "Jeff Miller will not seek re-election". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  40. ^ Zoe Clark (March 5, 2015). "GOP Congresswoman Candice Miller announces she will not seek reelection in 2016". Michigan Radio. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  41. ^ "RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES". Congressional Record. December 5, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  42. ^ "CIA Leadership: Mike Pompeo". CIA. January 24, 2017. Archived from the original on January 26, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  43. ^ "Secretary of Health and Human Services". Department of Health and Human Services.
  44. ^ "Senate Roll Call Vote 68". United States Senate. February 16, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  45. ^ Canon, Scott. Kansas Rep. Lynn Jenkins to leave Congress after this term, won't run for governor, Kansas City Star, January 25, 2017.
  46. ^ "Republicans up 5 seats in race to control Senate". ABC 30. November 5, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
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