What is a Congressional Caucus?

Congressional caucuses are basically informal working groups on particular issues or interests.  The reason they came in to being is that when a Member of Congress does not serve on a particular committee, it is sometimes hard to have input on issues that go through that committee.  These groups can also serve as coalitions to work for common goals in legislation and educate other members and their staff on key issues. For the most part, they are bi-partisan in nature.

For example, Congressman Upton is a long time member of the Great Lakes Task Force, as is most of the Michigan Delegation.  This group holds a wide variety of briefings on issues ranging from the Coast Guard to mercury pollution.  The members work together to get funding for needs around the Great Lakes because they know how special this ecosystem as our largest source of fresh water in the world.  They have also teamed up on important legislative initiatives such as the Invasive Species Act and fighting the addition of Lake Champlain as a Great Lake.

Members do not pay dues for belonging to these organizations and staff from individual member offices do the ground work on the issues and briefings. 

Fred is a co-chair of only one caucus – the Congressional Automotive Caucus.  Fred and Congressman Dale Kildee of Michigan started this caucus about ten years ago to help highlight issues in the automotive sector since that industry is so critical to Michigan.  Over the years, they have done numerous educational briefings about auto and auto parts industry concerns, the economy, and new developments in technology.

	Fred is a member of a wide array of caucuses including but not limited to: Auto Caucus (co-Chair) Coalition for Autism Research and Education Community Health Centers Caucus Diabetes Caucus Farmer Cooperative Caucus Fire Caucus Great Lakes Task Force Human Rights Caucus Hydrogen Fuel Cell Caucus Internet Caucus Law Enforcement Caucus Manufacturing Task Force Medical Technology Caucus National Guard and Reserve Component Caucus Northern Border Caucus Organic Caucus Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus Sportsman’s Caucus Trails Caucus    House Energy and Commerce Committee   Chairman, Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet Member, Subcommittee on Health Member, Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection

	Coming Soon!