ABSTRACT
In July 2009, as the House Energy and Commerce Committee debated the Obama administration’s and congressional Democrats’ top agenda item—universal health care—Representative Mike Ross and several other so-called “Blue Dog” Democrats called a press conference to share their complaints about the bill. During the 117th Congress, the Democratic leadership must navigate the political rapids with less than a ten-vote majority. Legislative priorities members pursue with others in their committees or with members of their state delegation, including their senators, may conflict with the goals of their leadership. Most members do not require the help of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee or the National Republican Campaign Committee in their next bid for reelection. When a true conference committee was held on the Homeland Security Appropriations bill in 2019 to resolve funding for President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall, among other matters, one participant acknowledged that their deliberations were closely watched by leadership.
