By-Laws

Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization

June 30, 1997

As a forum for Congressional oversight and to represent the National Guard and Reserve Components of the United States known as Reserve Components, to form a cohesive Congressional Member Organization (CMO), the National Guard and Reserve Caucus or Guard & Reserve Components Caucus, otherwise known as the GRC Caucus or the Caucus that:

1. Represents and articulates within Congress a defense philosophy that recognizes and endorses vital capabilities provided by: citizen soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines of the armed forces, in the defense of the nation.
2. Serves as a Congressional focal point for information related to roles and missions of Reserve Components.
3. Develops substantive positions and proposals dealing with Reserve Component issues and agenda.
4. Organizes member support for legislative initiatives dealing with Reserve Components, operations, programs, and policies.
5. Provides a means for Congressional oversight of Reserve Component related issues and developments.

Rule 1. Inclusion:    All members of Congress whose interests include programs, policies, and operations of the Reserve Components, to include any branch of the National Guard, the Reserve organizations of the United States Military, or the Coast Guard, and whether due to personal involvement, constituent interest, or geographical considerations associated with Reserve Component facilities, are welcome to petition for inclusion.

Rule 2. Membership:    Members of all parties are welcome to apply for Caucus membership.  Upon admittance, Members of all parties may be assimilated into the leadership of the Caucus.
 

Rule 3. Caucus Leadership:    The GRC Caucus shall be governed by the Steering Committee.  Incumbents of the two Co-chair and seven Vice-chair positions shall constitute the Steering Committee.  Caucus leadership will be reviewed and voted upon at the start of each session of Congress.

Rule 4. Caucus Offices:

    I.    The GRC Caucus shall have two Co-chairs, one from the majority and one from the minority.

            A.    Policy and legislative strategy

            B.    Outreach and administration

    II.    Seven vice chairs:

            A.    Army National Guard

            B.    Air National Guard

            C.    Navy Reserve

            D.    Marine Corps Reserve

            E.    Army Reserve

            F.    Air Force Reserve

            G.    Coast Guard Reserve

Rule 5.  Co-chair for Policy and Legislative Strategy:  Works with task force chairs in developing an overall legislative agenda as well as specific legislative proposals.  Also accountable for organizing united support for positions within the Caucus.  Works with vice chairs to coordinate strategy on legislative proposals.

Rule 6.  Co-chair for Outreach and Administration:  Solicit the views of the Caucus to determine which relevant issues the Caucus should address, and assist task force chairs in developing this position.  Organize open meetings; distribute information to and for the group; maintain meeting records; develop relationships with outside organizations; and arrange meetings with outside individuals/organizations demonstrating expertise or knowledge in an issue of relevance to the Caucus.

Rule 7. Communications Coordinator:  The Steering Committee may appoint a member of the Caucus to coordinate the public relations activities of the Caucus.  The communications coordinator is responsible for arranging press conferences and developing press releases and other information to the media for the Caucus as a whole.

Rule 8. Spokesperson:  The Steering Committee may appoint an individual member to serve as spokesperson for the Caucus and work with the communications coordinator in developing public releases of information.
 

Rule 9. Party Diversity:  Members of all parties are welcome to apply for Caucus membership.  Upon admittance, members of all parties may be assimilated into the leadership of the caucus.
 

Rule 10. Calling and Scheduling Meetings:

    I.    The Co-chair for Administration shall coordinate the scheduling of Caucus meetings.

    II.    While Congress is in session, the Caucus shall meet as needed for considerations of Caucus relevant legislation.

    III.    Staff representatives for members of the Caucus shall meet prior to Caucus meetings.

Rule 11. Notice and Agenda of Meetings:

    I.    The Co-chair for Administration shall be responsible for arranging meeting places and times; shall provide a copy of the agenda and other materials relevant to the meetings to each Caucus member prior to the Caucus meeting.

    II.    A meeting of the Caucus may, at the call of the Steering Committee or upon a motion, be recessed and later convened for the continuation of business at a time and place agreed upon by a majority of members present.

    III.    Meetings will be scheduled after a meeting of staff representatives.  All meetings will be scheduled and announced by the Co-chair for Administration upon approval by the steering committee.

Rule 12. Admittance to Meetings:  Members of the Caucus, their invited guests, staff representatives, and a journal clerk shall be admitted to the meetings of the Caucus.  The Co-chair for Outreach and Administration is a point of contact with outside organizations; and can arrange meetings with outside individuals/organizations demonstrating expertise or knowledge.
 

Rule 13. Adopting Formal Positions:

    I.    The Co-chair for Policy and Legislative Strategy shall work with the members of the Steering Committee and other members of the group to identify issues of interest to place on the group's agenda for discussion.

    II.    During its meetings, the group may consider proposals for formal positions on issues.  A two thirds vote of the members present at a meeting will be necessary to formally adopt a position.

    III.    The group may amend a formal position by two thirds vote.

    IV.    Staff Representatives shall meet when appropriate, prior to scheduled Members meeting date.
 

Rule 14. Formation of Task Forces:  Task forces are formed by the Steering Committee at the request of one or more of the members of the Caucus.  The chairman and members of each task force shall be appointed by the steering committee.

Rule 15. Responsibilities of Task Forces:  Each task force is charged with developing detailed policy and legislative initiatives on issues of interest and concern to the members of the Caucus.  These policies and initiatives are to be developed in cooperation with the Caucus.  Each Task Force is to report frequently on its progress and direction.

Rule 16.  Attendance:  Members are expected to maintain regular attendance at all meetings of the Caucus and of any task force on which they may serve.

Rule 17.  Member Responsibility:

    I.    Members shall actively participate in the activities of the group, including serving on task forces.

    II.    Members should build support for positions of the Caucus.

    III.    Members of the Caucus/CMO shall comply with regulations adopted by the Committee on House Oversight on February 8, 1995 (1995 CMO Regulations) regarding the definition of Congressional Members Organizations (CMO) and in addition:

            A.    The House Ethics Manual

            B.    The Members Congressional Handbook

            C.    Rules of the House, including House Rules 43 and 45

Rule 18. Public Statements:

    I.    In making statements to the press, members should clearly distinguish between personal opinions of the member and statements of the Caucus as a whole.

Rule 19. Amendment of Caucus Rules:

    I.    Caucus Rules may be amended by a majority vote of the Caucus.

    II.    When a member offers an amendment to the Caucus rules, the member must provide a copy of the amendment at the time the amendment is offered.

Copyright © 2002 Reserve Components Caucus - Last modified: 10/15/02