Party and Constituency Influence on Procedural and Final Passage Voting in the U.S. House

Posted: 29 Mar 2010

See all articles by Stephen Jessee

Stephen Jessee

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Sean M. Theriault

University of Texas at Austin - Department of Government

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Abstract

Most analyses of congressional voting, whether theoretical or empirical, treat all roll call votes in the same way. We argue that such approaches mask considerable variation in voting behavior across different categories of votes. An examination of all recorded roll call votes in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2008 reveals that membersメ voting behavior on procedural and final passage matters have become increasingly differentiated. We show that party has become increasingly important relative to constituency in dictating membersメ voting behavior, especially on procedural votes. These trends can account for much of the partisan polarization that has occurred during this time period.

Suggested Citation

Jessee, Stephen and Theriault, Sean M., Party and Constituency Influence on Procedural and Final Passage Voting in the U.S. House. Western Political Science Association 2010 Annual Meeting Paper , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1580553

Stephen Jessee (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Sean M. Theriault

University of Texas at Austin - Department of Government ( email )

College of Liberal Arts
1 University Station A1800
Austin, TX 78712
United States

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