Congressional Caucuses in National Policymaking

The names are familiar from the nightly news - the Democratic Study Group, the Boll Weevils, the Black Caucus. But what exactly are these groups, and what role do they play in congressional decision making?

In Congressional Caucuses in National Policy Making Susan Webb Hammond describes and explains the roles, the activities, and the influence of the groups known on Capitol Hill as "caucuses." Defined as voluntary groups of members of Congress with shared interests, but standing outside the formal legislative and policy making structure, caucuses are prime players in influencing policy and setting the legislative agenda.