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Series:   Elements in American Politics

The Origins and Consequences of Congressional Party Election Agendas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2023

Scott R. Meinke
Scott R. Meinke
Affiliation:
Bucknell University, Pennsylvania

Summary

This Element examines congressional party election agendas, asking first how they originate and what priorities within the party they strategically represent and, second, how they shape post-election legislative activity and policymaking. After surveying post-1980 agenda efforts, it focuses on two prominent cases, the Republican Contract with America (1994) and the Democratic New Direction for America (2006). Using archived records and other qualitative evidence, it shows that both agendas were leadership-driven but were developed in lengthy and relatively inclusive processes. Quantifying agenda content, it demonstrates that the parties strategically skewed agenda promises toward select segments of the caucus, as measured in bill introduction priorities, and the promises echoed leadership messaging from speeches and floor motions in the Congress before the election. After winning a majority, both parties shifted the House's legislative activity sharply toward agenda priorities, but the impact on policy outcomes was substantially constrained.
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Keywords

party agendasparty platformsContract with AmericaNew Direction for Americacampaign promises
Type
Element
Information
Series: Elements in American Politics
Online ISBN: 9781009264860
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 23 February 2023

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The Origins and Consequences of Congressional Party Election Agendas
  • Scott R. Meinke, Bucknell University, Pennsylvania
  • Online ISBN: 9781009264860
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The Origins and Consequences of Congressional Party Election Agendas
  • Scott R. Meinke, Bucknell University, Pennsylvania
  • Online ISBN: 9781009264860
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The Origins and Consequences of Congressional Party Election Agendas
  • Scott R. Meinke, Bucknell University, Pennsylvania
  • Online ISBN: 9781009264860
Available formats
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