The Origins and Consequences of Congressional Party Election Agendas

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.