The House Democratic Caucus nominates and elects the Democratic Party leadership in the United States House of Representatives. The group is composed of all Democratic Representatives in the House. In its role as a party conference, the caucus writes and enforces rules of conduct and discipline for its members, approves committee assignments, and serves as the primary forum for development of party policy and legislative priorities. It hosts weekly meetings for these purposes and to communicate the party's message to members.

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Illinois) and Rep. John Larson were elected without opposition as Chair and Vice-Chair of the caucus (respectively) on November 16, 2006. blank">http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/16/congress.leaders.ap/index.html

The forerunner of the House Democratic Caucus, the _Democratic-Republican caucus, was established on April 2, 1796 to stop a treaty with Great Britain which unfairly treated American sailors. For many years, through 1820, it nominated presidential candidates (before the era of national nominating conventions). &DE=