About Parties and Leadership | Policy Committee Chairs

The Senate created Democratic and Republican Policy Committees in 1947. Each committee is responsible for formulating legislative policy goals for the party and, in conjunction with legislative committee chairs and party leaders, scheduling floor action on bills during a session. During the 20th century, the Democratic Policy Committee was chaired by the party’s floor leader, who also appointed the members of the committee. A co-chair position was added in 1989. In 2000 the Democratic Conference made the chair of the policy committee an elected post. The Democratic leader no longer served as co-chair but continued to appoint the remaining members of the committee. Between 2017 and 2023 the Democratic Conference began electing vice chairs for the Policy Committee and changed the name to the Policy and Communications Committee. In 2025 the Democratic Conference combined its Policy Committee and Steering Committee under the leadership of a single chair. The Republican Conference also elects the chair of its policy committee. In addition to the chair, the Republican committee is composed of members of leadership, serving as ex-officio members, with the remaining members appointed by the party leader with approval of the party conference.