Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Collaboration in Congress (Yes, It Exists!)
- 2 Social Exchange in Congress
- 3 Identifying Policy Collaboration
- 4 The Breadth and Substance of Collaborative Issues
- 5 The Most (and Least) Collaborative Members of Congress
- 6 The Interdependence of Collaborative Relationships
- 7 Legislative Benefits of Collaboration
- 8 The Future of Collaboration
- Appendix A Interview Notes
- Appendix B Model Specifications and Fit
- References
- Index
7 - Legislative Benefits of Collaboration
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 October 2023
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Collaboration in Congress (Yes, It Exists!)
- 2 Social Exchange in Congress
- 3 Identifying Policy Collaboration
- 4 The Breadth and Substance of Collaborative Issues
- 5 The Most (and Least) Collaborative Members of Congress
- 6 The Interdependence of Collaborative Relationships
- 7 Legislative Benefits of Collaboration
- 8 The Future of Collaboration
- Appendix A Interview Notes
- Appendix B Model Specifications and Fit
- References
- Index
Summary
Congressional staff assert that collaborative policy is more successful, especially if the collaboration is bipartisan: Policy letters gain additional attention, invitations have a broader appeal, and bills are more likely to pass. Chapter 7 tests that assumption by examining the outcomes of collaborative legislation. At every stage of the legislative process, collaborative bills are more successful than single-author bills. Collaborative legislation attracts more cosponsors and is more likely to be reported out of committee, pass the House, and be enacted. Bipartisan bills do particularly well, particularly for rank-and-file members with limited institutional power, but majority party members also benefit from partisan collaboration. By working together, members can signal that a bill has broad support – either within or across the political parties – and facilitate a smoother legislative process from introduction to enactment. Thus, collaboration is a valuable tool for members of Congress seeking to advance their agenda.
Keywords
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- Information
- The Collaborative CongressReaching Common Ground in a Polarized House, pp. 161 - 200Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023