Democratic Study Group

The Democratic Study Group (DSG) was a caucus 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.^[1] It was founded "as a liberal counterpoint to the influence of senior conservatives and southern Democrats," and played a crucial role in passing liberal legislation in spite of the opposition of the conservative coalition during the late 1950s and 1960s.^[2] After the 1970s, its role focused on legislative service, whose "principal activity [was] to disseminate detailed written materials to members of the House about upcoming legislation and policy issues, which it [did] on a daily basis when the chamber [was] in session."^[2][3]

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 (MN-8)
• Rep. Mike Lowry (WA-7)

Further reading

• Polsby, Nelson W. "How Congress Evolves", New York: Oxford University Press 2004 ISBN 978-0-19-518296-5
• 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. 667–681.At J-STOR