About RSC

RSC Chairman - Rep. Jeb Hensarling (TX-05)

The Republican Study Committee is a group of over 110 House Republicans organized for the purpose of advancing a conservative social and economic agenda in the House of Representatives. The Republican Study Committee is dedicated to:

• a limited and Constitutional role for the federal government,
• a strong national defense,
• the protection of individual and property rights,
• and the preservation of traditional family values.

The RSC reviews each piece of legislation under consideration on the House floor using six guiding principles, printed on our "Conservative Check Card" and listed below:

1. Less Government - Does the bill tend to reduce government regulations, size of government, or eliminate entitlements or unnecessary programs?
2. Lower Taxes - Does the bill promote individual responsibility in spending, or reduce taxes or fees?
3. Personal Responsibility - Does the bill encourage responsible behavior by individuals and families and encourage them to provide for their own health, safety, education, moral fortitude, or general welfare?
4. Individual Freedom - Does the bill increase opportunities for individuals or families to decide, without hindrance or coercion from government, how to conduct their own lives and make personal choices?
5. Stronger Families - Does the bill enhance the traditional American family and its power to rear children without excessive interference from the government?
6. Domestic Tranquility, National Defense - Does the bill enhance American security without unduly burdening civil liberty?

The group has played a major role in key policy areas including budget, appropriations, taxes, education, Social Security reform, defense, deregulation, and general government reform. The Republican Study Committee is an independent research arm for Republicans.

RSC History
The Republican Study Committee (RSC) was founded in 1973 by Rep. Phil Crane (R-IL).  The first executive director of the RSC was Ed Feulner, who currently serves as President of Heritage Foundation.  The group functioned as a Legislative Service Organization until such groups were abolished under House rules in the first days of the 104th Congress (1995). Dan Burton was the last Chairman of the RSC before it was abolished.

Shortly thereafter, the group was restarted as the Conservative Action Team (CATs) under new founders Reps. Dan Burton (R-IN), John Doolittle (R-CA), Ernest Istook (R-OK) and Sam Johnson (R-TX).

The four founders rotated chairmanships until 1998 when Rep. David McIntosh (R-IN) became Chairman. Rep. Sam Johnson completed the term of Rep. McIntosh when he stepped down to run for governor of Indiana.  Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) became the CATs chairman in 2000 and returned the group to its historic name the RSC in 2001. Rep. Shadegg was succeeded by Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) in the 108th Congress (2003-2004). Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) was elected RSC Chairman for the 109th Congress (2005-present).

Former Members of the RSC Have held the title of:

• Vice President of the United States
• Cabinet Secretary
• House Majority Leader
• Governor
• Senator
• Ambassador

Foundational Documents

• Declaration of Independence
• U.S. Constitution
• Bill of Rights - Constitutional amendments 1-10
• Constitutional Amendments 11-27
• The Powers of Congress - the constitutional authority to enact legislation
• Former U.S. Rep. David "Davy" Crockett's Famous Speech "Not Yours To Give"

Republican Freshman Pictoral Directories

• 110th Congress
• 109th Congress
• 108th Congress