Making Legislative Choices Member of Congress cast 1,000+ votes per year How do they decide?

Making Legislative Choices Colleagues –Influence of committee members –Like-minded members –With expectation of a future vote being reciprocated  logrolling Build coalitions Deference to expertise Bring home funding for constituents - pork Congressional Staff –Research complex issues –Work in offices (advantage of incumbents)

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Making Legislative Choices Constituents –Rarely vote against strong wishes of residents of their district/state Worry about they will explain votes Attentive public – citizens who follow public affairs closely –Can make the difference in elections »Especially primaries

Making Legislative Choices Ideology –Influence of own experience and beliefs in role of government Closely related to party, but not exact match –Blue Dog Coalition – moderate and conservative Democrats –Log Cabin Republicans –Trends Both houses more conservative over last few decades –Especially in House after 1994 and 2010 elections Increasing polarization –Reapportionment has created more safe seats and more ideological primaries – moderates have a harder time winning elections

Making Legislative Choices Interest Groups –Contribute to campaigns –Testify before committees –Provide information for legislative staff –Build public pressure

Making Legislative Choices Party* –Members tend to vote with their parties –Partisanship has increased In the House since the 1970s (and especially after 1994) Votes along party lines –1970s less than 70% –1980s under 80% –Since 2000 almost 90% *best predictor of a member’s vote

Making Legislative Choices The President –Distribute government resources –Help set legislative agenda State of the Union Budget proposal Public opinion – “Bully Pulpit” Grants (esp. block)