The Congressional Constitution Caucus is a congressional caucus made up of 41 members of the United States Congress. The caucus was founded in 2005;[2] it had 37 members the first year it was founded.
The group was founded and formerly led by Republican U.S. Representative Scott Garrett of New Jersey,[3][4] who sought to push the Republican Party leadership to move increasingly to the right.[3]
The Caucus was officially registered as a Congressional Member Organization in 2005 by Congressmen Scott Garrett, Virginia Foxx, and Rob Bishop. In a 2006 interview, the three described themselves as leading "...a team dedicated to downsizing the amount of power usurped from the states by the federal government."[6]
In 2011, the group's membership grew rapidly following the entrance of new Tea Party-aligned members elected in the 2010 elections.[3] In 2011, the Caucus and the Tea Party Caucus jointly sponsored a closed-door speech to the caucuses by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on the topic of "separation of powers."[7]
At its peak in the 113th Congress, the Congressional Constitution Caucus had 76 members. However, the caucus possessed over 100 members when it existed informally in the 104th Congress.[5]
According to the founders of the Caucus, the main focus of the Caucus is to "ensure the federal government is operating under the intent of the 10th Amendment of our Bill of Rights." The Caucus has worked towards this goal through sponsoring legislation like H.R. 3449, H.R. 1227, and H.R. 1229.[6]
Membership
As of the 117th Congress, the Congressional Constitution Caucus has 41 members. 41 in the House, and 0 in the Senate. The current members of the Caucus are listed below, listed by state.[11]
The Districts of Caucus Members (as of the 114th Congress) are highlighted in red. Please note: Only Districts within the House of Representatives are shown. Senate Districts are excluded.A map of Caucus member states as of the 115th Congress.
Fmr. Rep. John Shadegg (AZ-03) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2010, saying he will "pursue [his] commitment to fight for freedom in a different venue."[13]
Fmr. Rep. Renee Ellmers (NC-02) - Defeated in the 2016 Republican Primary.[20]
Fmr. Rep. John Fleming (LA-04) - Chose to run for Louisiana Senate.[21] Nominated by Donald Trump to be the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Technology[22]
Fmr. Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA-11) - Ran for Georgia Senate in 2014.[23]
Fmr. Rep. Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) - Defeated in the 2016 Republican Primary.[24]
Fmr. Rep. David Jolly (Fl-13) - Vacated his seat to run for Florida Senate. Then dropped out of Senate race to rerun for House seat that he vacated, citing "unfinished business." Then was defeated in the 2016 general election.[25]
Fmr. Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY) - Chose not to seek reelection in 2016.[26] Later elected as a United States Senator from Wyoming.
Fmr. Rep. Steve Stockman (TX-36) - Ran for the Texas Senate in 2014. Did not defend his Seat.[28][29]
Fmr. Rep. John Runyan (NJ-03) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2014, citing frustration with his fellow Republicans over the government shutdown.[30] Was hired by the NFL to be their Vice President of the Policy and Rules Administration.[31]
Fmr. Rep. Alan Nunnelee (MS-01) - Died in office after undergoing surgery for a brain tumor.[33]
Fmr. Rep. Curt Clawson (FL-19) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016, citing the death of his mother as the main cause.[34]
Fmr. Rep. John Kline (MN-02) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016.[35]
Fmr. Rep. Joe Pitts (PA-16) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016.[36]
Fmr. Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-05) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016.[37]
Fmr. Rep. Randy Neugebauer (TX-19) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016.[38]
Fmr. Rep. Jeff Miller (FL-01) - Chose not to run for reelection in 2016.[39]
Fmr. Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10) - Did not seek re-election in 2016[40] and resigned her seat in the House on December 31, 2016, in order to take office as Macomb County Public Works Commissioner the next day.[41]
