Republican Study Committee
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2021) |
Republican Study Committee | |
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Chair | Kevin Hern |
Founded | 1973 |
Ideology | |
Political position | Center-right[2] to right-wing[3] |
National affiliation | Republican Party |
Colors | Red |
Seats in the House Republican Conference | 177 / 220[a]
|
Seats in the House | 177 / 435[a]
|
Website | |
rsc-hern | |
This article is part of a series on |
Conservatism in the United States |
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The Republican Study Committee (RSC) is a congressional caucus of conservative members of the Republican Party in the United States House of Representatives.[4] In November 2022, Representative Kevin Hern of Oklahoma was elected as the chair of the RSC,[5] effective as of January 2023.[6]
Although the primary functions of the RSC vary from year to year, it has always pushed for significant cuts in non-defense spending,[7] advocated socially conservative legislation,[8] and supported the right to keep and bear arms.[9] It has proposed an alternative budget every year since 1995.[10] In 2007, in conjunction with the unveiling of its "Taxpayer Bill of Rights",[11] it presented an alternative budget resolution that it claimed would balance the budget within five years without increasing income taxes.[12][13]
Entering the 118th United States Congress, the RSC was the largest ideological caucus in Congress of either party.[14]
Initiatives
[edit]The RSC's legislative initiatives are detailed in the American Taxpayer Bill of Rights,[15] unveiled in March 2007.[16]
- Taxpayers have a right to have a federal government that does not grow beyond their ability to pay for it.
- Taxpayers have a right to receive back each dollar that they entrust to the government for their retirement.
- Taxpayers have a right to expect the government to balance the budget without having their taxes raised.
- Taxpayers have a right to a simple, fair tax code that they can understand.
History
[edit]The RSC was founded in 1973 by Paul Weyrich and other conservative activists to keep a watch on the House Republican leadership, which they saw as too moderate. Their formation mirrored the rise of the Democratic Study Group, a liberal force in the Democratic Caucus founded in 1959. The group's first chairman was Phil Crane of Illinois.
The group briefly dissolved in 1995 when Newt Gingrich abolished it and other similar groups [17] after the Republicans won control of the House for the first time in 40 years. It was soon resurrected as the Conservative Action Team (CATs) by Dan Burton of Indiana (the last chair of the original RSC), Sam Johnson of Texas, John Doolittle of California and Ernest Istook of Oklahoma. These four founders alternated as chairs throughout the following two Congresses until David McIntosh of Indiana became chair in 1998.
Paul Teller spent over ten years as Executive Director of RSC. He was fired in December 2013 by Steve Scalise for divulging member conversations.[18] Teller had been working with two outside groups in opposition to a budget deal forged by Paul Ryan and Patty Murray.[19]
Chairs
[edit]- 1973–1989: Phil Crane (IL-12)
- 1989–1995: Dan Burton (IN-6)
- 1995–1999: Dan Burton (IN-6), John Doolittle (CA-4), Ernest Istook (OK-5), Sam Johnson (TX-3)
- 1999–2000: David M. McIntosh (IN-2)
- 2000–2001: Sam Johnson (TX-3)
- 2001–2003: John Shadegg (AZ-4)
- 2003–2005: Sue Myrick (NC-9)
- 2005–2007: Mike Pence (IN-6)
- 2007–2009: Jeb Hensarling (TX-5)
- 2009–2011: Tom Price (GA-6)
- 2011–2013: Jim Jordan (OH-4)
- 2013–2014: Steve Scalise (LA-1)
- 2014–2015: Rob Woodall (GA-7)
- 2015–2017: Bill Flores (TX-17)
- 2017–2019: Mark Walker (NC-6)
- 2019–2021: Mike Johnson (LA-4)
- 2021–2023: Jim Banks (IN-3)
- 2023–present: Kevin Hern (OK-1)
Former members
[edit]The RSC membership list is available on the group's website.[20] It counts former Vice Presidents Mike Pence, Dan Quayle and Dick Cheney and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay among its former members. In addition, at least two sitting senators—John Boozman (AR) and Roger Wicker (MS)—were members of the RSC while serving in the House. At least three former governors–Pence (IN), Butch Otter (ID) and Bobby Jindal (LA)—were also members.
List of former members
[edit]- Dan Burton of Indiana
- Phil Crane of Illinois[21][22]
- John Doolittle of California
- Sam Johnson of Texas
- David M. McIntosh of Indiana
- Sue Myrick of North Carolina
- Mike Pence of Indiana
- Bruce Poliquin of Maine
- Jeb Hensarling of Texas
- Tom Price of Georgia
- Jim Jordan of Ohio
- Jackie Walorski of Indiana
- Rob Woodall of Georgia
- Bill Flores of Texas
- Mark Walker of North Carolina
- Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota
- Chris Stewart of Utah
- Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania
- Richard Burr of North Carolina
- Ken Buck of Colorado[23]
- John Joyce of Pennsylvania[24]
- Tim Burchett of Tennessee[24]
Political issues
[edit]On June 16, 2010, the committee issued a press release critical of the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama for negotiating an agreement with energy company BP to waive the $75 million federal limit on oil company liability for oil spills. The statement called the agreement requiring BP to set aside $20 billion to pay damage claims for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill a "Chicago-style political shakedown" by the White House.[25]
In July 2013, the Republican Study Committee barred The Heritage Foundation employees from attending its weekly meeting in the Capitol, reversing a decades-old policy, over disagreements about the farm bill.[26]
In June 2015, the Republican Study Committee reacted to the Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage, calling it "a loss for democratic self-government" and stating "we should work to promote the truth of marriage between a man and a woman."[27]
In 2021, their policy positions included maintaining the Hyde Amendment, constructing a wall on the southern border, and ending perceived censorship of conservative-leaning content.[28]
Membership
[edit]Current members
[edit]The Republican Study Committee publishes its membership on its website.[29] Currently, 17 members are also known to be part of the Freedom Caucus, which does not officially publish membership lists.
- Jerry Carl (AL-1)
- Barry Moore (AL-2)*
- Mike Rogers (AL-3)
- Robert Aderholt (AL-4)
- Dale Strong (AL-5)
- Gary Palmer (AL-6)*
- David Schweikert (AZ-1)
- Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6)
- Debbie Lesko (AZ-8)
- Paul Gosar (AZ-9)
- French Hill (AR-2)
- Bruce Westerman (AR-4)
- Doug LaMalfa (CA-1)
- Kevin Kiley (CA-3)
- Tom McClintock (CA-5)
- Jay Obernolte (CA-23)
- Mike Garcia (CA-27)
- Darrell Issa (CA-48)
- Lauren Boebert (CO-3)
- Doug Lamborn (CO-5)
- Neal Dunn (FL-2)
- Kat Cammack (FL-3)
- Aaron Bean (FL-4)
- Michael Waltz (FL-6)
- Cory Mills (FL-7)
- Bill Posey (FL-8)
- Daniel Webster (FL-11)
- Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)
- Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13)*
- Laurel Lee (FL-15)
- Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
- Greg Steube (FL-17)
- Scott Franklin (FL-18)
- Byron Donalds (FL-19)
- Brian Mast (FL-21)
- Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28)
- Buddy Carter (GA-1)
- Drew Ferguson (GA-3)
- Rich McCormick (GA-6)
- Austin Scott (GA-8)
- Andrew Clyde (GA-9)*
- Mike Collins (GA-10)*
- Barry Loudermilk (GA-11)
- Rick Allen (GA-12)
- Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14)
- Russ Fulcher (ID-1)*
- Mike Bost (IL-12)
- Mary Miller (IL-15)*
- Darin LaHood (IL-16)
- Rudy Yakym (IN-2)
- Jim Banks (IN-3)
- Jim Baird (IN-4)
- Victoria Spartz (IN-5)
- Greg Pence (IN-6)
- Larry Bucshon (IN-8)
- Erin Houchin (IN-9)
- Ashley Hinson (IA-2)
- Zach Nunn (IA-3)
- Randy Feenstra (IA-4)
- Tracey Mann (KS-1)
- Jake LaTurner (KS-2)
- Ron Estes (KS-4)
- James Comer (KY-1)
- Brett Guthrie (KY-2)
- Andy Barr (KY-6)
- Steve Scalise (LA-1)
- Clay Higgins (LA-3)*
- Mike Johnson (LA-4)
- Julia Letlow (LA-5)
- Garret Graves (LA-6)
- Jack Bergman (MI-1)
- John Moolenaar (MI-2)
- Bill Huizenga (MI-4)
- Tim Walberg (MI-5)
- Lisa McClain (MI-9)
- John James (MI-10)
- Brad Finstad (MN-1)
- Tom Emmer (MN-6)
- Michelle Fischbach (MN-7)
- Pete Stauber (MN-8)
- Trent Kelly (MS-1)
- Michael Guest (MS-3)
- Mike Ezell (MS-4)
- Ann Wagner (MO-2)
- Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3)
- Mark Alford (MO-4)
- Eric Burlison (MO-7)*
- Jason Smith (MO-8)
- Ryan Zinke (MT-1)
- Matt Rosendale (MT-2)
- Mike Flood (NE-1)
- Don Bacon (NE-2)
- Adrian Smith (NE-3)
- Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2)
- Chris Smith (New Jersey politician) (NJ-4)
- Nick LaLota (NY-1)
- Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
- Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
- Brandon Williams (NY-22)
- Nick Langworthy (NY-23)
- Claudia Tenney (NY-24)
- Greg Murphy (NC-3)
- Virginia Foxx (NC-5)
- David Rouzer (NC-7)
- Dan Bishop (NC-8)
- Richard Hudson (NC-9)
- Patrick McHenry (NC-10)
- Chuck Edwards (NC-11)
- Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL)
- Brad Wenstrup (OH-2)
- Bob Latta (OH-5)
- Bill Johnson (OH-6)
- Max Miller (OH-7)
- Warren Davidson (OH-8)*
- Mike Turner (OH-10)
- Troy Balderson (OH-12)
- Mike Carey (OH-15)
- Kevin Hern (OK-1)
- Josh Brecheen (OK-2)*
- Tom Cole (OK-4)
- Stephanie Bice (OK-5)
- Cliff Bentz (OR-2)
- Dan Meuser (PA-9)
- Lloyd Smucker (PA-11)
- Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)
- Mike Kelly (PA-16)
- Joe Wilson (SC-2)
- Jeff Duncan (SC-3)
- William Timmons (SC-4)
- Ralph Norman (SC-5)*
- Russell Fry (SC-7)
- Dusty Johnson (SD-AL)
- Diana Harshbarger (TN-1)
- Chuck Fleischmann (TN-3)
- Scott DesJarlais (TN-4)*
- Andy Ogles (TN-5)
- John Rose (TN-6)
- Mark Green (TN-7)*
- David Kustoff (TN-8)
- Nathaniel Moran (TX-1)
- Dan Crenshaw (TX-2)
- Keith Self (TX-3)
- Pat Fallon (TX-4)
- Lance Gooden (TX-5)
- Jake Ellzey (TX-6)
- Morgan Luttrell (TX-8)
- Michael McCaul (TX-10)
- August Pfluger (TX-11)
- Kay Granger (TX-12)
- Ronny Jackson (TX-13)
- Randy Weber (TX-14)
- Monica de la Cruz (TX-15)
- Pete Sessions (TX-17)
- Jodey Arrington (TX-19)
- Chip Roy (TX-21)
- Troy Nehls (TX-22)
- Tony Gonzales (TX-23)
- Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)
- Roger Williams (TX-25)
- Michael C. Burgess (TX-26)
- Michael Cloud (TX-27)*
- John Carter (TX-31)
- Brian Babin (TX-36)
- Blake Moore (UT-1)
- Chris Stewart (UT-2)
- John Curtis (UT-3)
- Burgess Owens (UT-4)
- Rob Wittman (VA-1)
- Bob Good (VA-5)
- Ben Cline (VA-6)
- Dan Newhouse (WA-4)
- Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5)
- Alex Mooney (WV-2)
- Bryan Steil (WI-1)
- Scott L. Fitzgerald (WI-5)
- Glenn Grothman (WI-6)
- Tom Tiffany (WI-7)
- Harriet Hageman (WY-AL)
Non-voting members
- James Moylan (GU-AL)
*Also a member of the Freedom Caucus.
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b This figure does not include James Moylan, a non-voting Delegate who is a member of the caucus.
See also
[edit]- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Freedom Caucus
- Liberty Caucus
- Republican Main Street Partnership
- Tea Party Caucus
- Tuesday Group
References
[edit]- ^ "About RSC". Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
- ^ Stening, Tanner (June 5, 2023). "Is the US now a four-party system? Progressives split Democrats, and far-right divides Republicans". Northeastern Global News. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Clarke, Andrew J. (July 2020). "Party Sub‐Brands and American Party Factions". American Journal of Political Science. 64 (3): 9. doi:10.1111/ajps.12504.
- ^ "Republican U.S. Representative Walker urges rejection of planned tariffs". Reuters. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2021-12-25.
- ^ "Republican Study Committee Elects Rep. Kevin Hern As New Chairman". U.S. Representative Kevin Hern. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
- ^ "Oklahoma congressman announces committee appointments". Oklahoma Energy Today. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
- ^ Weisman, Jonathan (October 19, 2005). "House GOP Leaders Set to Cut Spending". The Washington Post.
- ^ Davis, Michelle R. (2006-06-06). "Conservative House GOP Group Flexes Policy Muscle". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved 2021-12-25.
- ^ Brandon Moseley (2017-01-10). "Palmer appointed to RSC Steering Committee". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved 2021-12-25.
- ^ Orr, Gabby (2021-03-01). "The Republican trying to bridge the Trump-Pence divide". Politico. Retrieved 2021-12-25.
- ^ Garrison, Trey (2007-03-14). "A New Contract With America?". D Magazine. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
- ^ "Republican Study Committee Asks Taxpayers to Sign Online Petition | Tax Notes". www.taxnotes.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ "Conservative Groups Support RSC's 'Bold' Fiscal Plan | Tax Notes". www.taxnotes.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ Brown, Hayes (2021-09-28). "Joe Biden's Build Back Better Agenda is being held up by moderate Democrats". MSNBC. Retrieved 2021-12-25.
- ^ "The RSC's Taxpayer Bill of Rights". Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved 2017-03-25.
- ^ "RSC Leaders Rally to Support Taxpayers as Democrats Sanction Largest Tax Increase in American History" (PDF) (press release). Republican Study Committee. March 21, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 13, 2012. Retrieved 2017-03-25.
- ^ "Fall of the house of Newt - November 16, 1998". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ Alberta, Tim (December 11, 2013). "RSC Fires Executive Director for Leaking 'Member-Level' Talks to Outside Groups". National Journal.
- ^ Kane, Paul (December 11, 2013). "House GOP leader Steve Scalise fires top aide, Paul Teller, citing breach of trust". Washington Post.
- ^ "RSC Member List | Republican Study Committee (RSC)". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2009., RSC's 2012 website.
- ^ reporter, Rudolph Bush, Tribune staff. "Bitter end to 35-year career". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Zawislak, Mick (2014-11-16). "Crane remembered as conservative pioneer". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
- ^ Foran, Clare (2024-03-12). "GOP Rep. Ken Buck to leave Congress at end of next week | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ a b "RSC membership". Archived from the original on 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ "Chicago-Style Political Shakedown | Republican Study Committee (RSC)" (Press release). Republican Study Committee. 16 June 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
- ^ Republican Lawmakers Retaliate Against Heritage Foundation, Tim Alberts, National Journal, August 28, 2013
- ^ "House Republican Reaction to Supreme Court Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage | C-SPAN.org".
- ^ "Republican Study Committee". Republican Study Committee.
- ^ "Membership". Republican Study Committee. 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2021-09-25.