Caucuses help members share information, signal priorities, and bargain as a bloc. An ideological faction can condition support for leadership, while a regional or identity caucus can bring concerns that cross committee boundaries into negotiations. Influence depends on membership, cohesion, and strategic position.

A caucus endorsement is political evidence, not formal legislative action. The group cannot report a bill merely because many of its members support it, and participation does not bind a member's floor vote. Formal authority remains with chambers, committees, and officers acting under their rules.

Use context to distinguish three meanings of caucus: a congressional member organization, a party meeting that selects leaders, and a state nominating event. A bipartisan coastal caucus inside Congress is the first; it is neither a standing committee nor a presidential nomination process.

Video lesson: Congressional Committees: Crash Course Government and Politics #7