The Democratic Study Group (DSG) was a
caucus
A caucus is a group or meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.
The term originated in the United States, where it can refer to ...
consisting of liberal members of the Democratic Party in the United States House of Representatives, which also operated as a legislative service organization (LSO). It was founded in 1959 and was active until 1994. It was founded "as a liberal counterpoint to the influence of senior
conservatives
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...
and
southern Democrats
Southern Democrats are members of the U.S. Democratic Party who reside in the Southern United States.
Before the American Civil War, Southern Democrats mostly believed in Jacksonian democracy. In the 19th century, they defended slavery in the ...
," and played a crucial role in passing liberal legislation in spite of the opposition of the
conservative coalition
The conservative coalition, founded in 1937, was an unofficial alliance of members of the United States Congress which brought together the conservative wings of the Republican and Democratic parties to oppose President Franklin Delano Rooseve ...
during the late 1950s and 1960s.
After the 1970s, its role focused on legislative service, whose "principal activity
asto disseminate detailed written materials to members of the House about upcoming legislation and policy issues, which it
idon a daily basis when the chamber
asin session."
Chairs
*Rep.
Lee Metcalf (MT-1)
*Rep.
John Brademas (IN-3)
*Rep.
James G. O'Hara (MI-12)
*Rep.
Frank Thompson (NJ-4)
*Rep.
Donald M. Fraser (MN-5)
*Rep.
Phillip Burton (CA-5)
*Rep.
Tom Foley (WA-5)
*Rep.
Abner J. Mikva (IL-10)
*Rep.
Dave Obey (WI-7)
*Rep.
Matthew F. McHugh (NY-28)
*Rep.
Jim Oberstar
James Louis Oberstar (September 10, 1934 – May 3, 2014) was an American politician and Congressman who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 2011. Hailing from Minnesota and a member of the state's local Minnes ...
(MN-8)
*Rep.
Mike Lowry (WA-7)
Further reading
*Polsby, Nelson W. "How Congress Evolves", New York: Oxford University Press 2004
*Stevens Jr., Arthur G., Miller, Arthur H., Mann, Thomas E., "Mobilization of Liberal Strength in the House, 1955-1970: The Democratic Study Group," ''The American Political Science Review'', Vol 68. No. 2. (Jun., 1974), pp. 667–68
At J-STOR
References
External links
Abner Mikva Interview No. 4A search crew recovered the body of Richard ConlonWhen Liberals Were Organized
See also
*Conservative Coalition
The conservative coalition, founded in 1937, was an unofficial alliance of members of the United States Congress which brought together the conservative wings of the Republican and Democratic parties to oppose President Franklin Delano Rooseve ...
* Legislative Digest
*United States Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is a Centre-left politics, center-left political parties in the United States, political party in the United States. One of the Major party, major parties of the U.S., it was founded in 1828, making it the world's oldes ...
* History of the United States Congress
Political organizations based in the United States
Organizations established in 1959
Democratic Party (United States) organizations
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