Senate Policy Committees

R. Eric Petersen
Analyst in American National Government

This report discusses the history of the two Senate policy committees and explains their structure,
operation, and functions.


Created in 1947, the Senate Republican and Democratic Policy Committees are party leadership
structures. Each is an analytical arm of its respective party leadership. Their fundamental
missions are to achieve policy integration and to promote party unity through the dissemination of
information about policy and other Senate matters.


The two policy committees are different in structure and operation, a contrast that appears to be
rooted in different leadership styles within the two party organizations. Republican leadership has
traditionally been shared among Senators other than the party floor leader; customarily, the
Democratic leadership positions of party floor leader, chair of the Democratic Policy Committee
(DPC), and chair of the Democratic Conference have been posts held by the same person.
Additionally, where both policy committees once functioned largely as service agencies,
peripheral to party leadership, today, the two party entities have assumed roles more important to
the overall leadership structure in the Senate. The style and activities of the Republican Policy
Committee (RPC) and DPC have, over the years, been shaped largely by the party leaders,
particularly when the party is in the opposition.


Date of Report: June 23, 2010
Number of Pages: 10
Order Number: RL32015
Price: $29.95

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