Bicameralism and Minority Party Influence on Legislative Development
This study examines minority party influence during congressional committee markups. While Congress is often seen as majority-party dominated, this research reveals that minority preferences significantly impact legislation.
Original Data Set
An original data set of House standing committee votes was analyzed to track the extent of minority party support.
Minority Influence Predicts Passage
Contrary to expectations, even in majority-party-dominant institutions like the U.S. House, minority party preferences frequently translate into law.
Why It Matters
The analysis shows a clear connection between minority influence and legislative outcomes across both chambers.
