Commentary on "Congressional Informal Groups as Representative Responsiveness"

“Congressional Informal Groups as Representative Responsiveness” by Arturo Vega focuses on an interesting topic-congressional caucuses-and examines an important theoretical concept-representation-using a new data set that he has gathered. In the contemporary era, congressional caucuses-voluntary groups of members of Congress, without formal recognition in chamber rules or line-item appropriations that seek a role in the policy process-are increasingly salient congressional actors. The number of caucuses has increased dramatically during the 1980s; about 140 operated during the 102nd Congress (1991-1992). It is not surprising that caucuses have flourished during the 1970s and 1980s, two decades of structural decentralization during which members of Congress often pursued individual goals at the expense of collective action. I have argued elsewhere that caucuses, particularly in this environment, assist members in achieving individual goals and also help Congress achieve institutional goals (Hammond 1989). Vega’s focus on caucuses is useful.