1. Where’s the Caucus? A Study of Minority Agenda-Setting Behavior
Christine Y. Kim1; LaShonda Brenson2; Vincent Hutchings, Ph.D
Department of Political Science1, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA
Department of Political Science2, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Abstract
Minority representation is primarily viewed as a dyadic
relationship between a member of Congress (MC) and his or her
constituents. Previous literature on race, ethnicity, and political
representation presents conflicting evidence as to whether the
race or ethnicity of a MC matters in legislative politics. Part of
this confusion, we argue, stems from the exclusion of race and
ethnic-based caucuses, namely the Congressional Black Caucus
(CBC) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), in studies of
minority legislative behavior. Despite the varied roles that
caucuses can play in legislative politics, the literature on
caucuses has primarily focused on voting cohesion—that is the
extent in which groups display homogeneity in their voting
patterns or their symbolic significance. This narrow perspective
causes significant chasms for scholars to understand the
legislative behavior of minority MCs. The present study seeks to
uncover the role of CBC and CHC members asserting status quo
agenda control—the caucus’s ability to block bills generated by
non-members that may contradict the interest of racial and
ethnic minorities. Applying a combination of both quantitative
and qualitative methods, there is evidence that the CBC and CHC
assert status quo agenda control, via staff capacity, which
demonstrates that these caucuses play a more influential role in
political representation than expected.
Research Question
In what capacity do the Congressional Black Caucus and
Congressional Hispanic Caucus influence minority legislation?
Background
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
• Founded in 1971
• Known as “Conscience of Congress”
• Current number of members: 43 Voting, 2 Non-Voting (2013)
• Current Chair: Congressman G.K. Butterfield (NC-01)
The CBC has consistently worked together to empower the voices
of vulnerable people in communities of color, in order to ensure
that they have a fair opportunity to exercise their Constitutional
right to achieve the American Dream.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC)
• Founded in 1976
• Current number of members: 26
• Current Chair: Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez
The CHC hopes to address issues that affect the Hispanic
community, in hopes to advance impactful legislation.
Data and Methods
Quantitative Analysis
To run regressions and figure out statistics about the different
variables related to individual Congress members, data was
collected in Microsoft Excel about the members and the
number of minority-related bills that they were associated
with. Variable information dated from the 93rd (1973-1975) to
the 112th (2011-2013) Congressional sessions.
• Collected data for more than twelve variables, including:
Congressional Session
Thomas Number
Congressional Year
State Name
Congressional District
Party Affiliation
Majority/Minority Party
Year Elected
Race
Gender
Voter Percentage
Southern State
Example:
Qualitative Analysis
LaShonda Brenson traveled to Washington D.C. to interview
about twenty-three legislative directors whose Congress
member has membership in the CBC or CHC, a current
Congressman, and two former Executive Directors for the CBC
and CHC. In general, there were about seven critical interview
questions that contributed to the evidence that caucus
members exert agenda control through the general influence
of the caucus.
Methods
• Organized interview questions and answers to conglomerate
them in a single document, in order to find themes
• Created nodes within the document to find intersections and
points of contention in the answers
Results/Conclusion
Sources: CNN, FactFinder2.gov, Gallup, OpenSecrets.org, Pew, This Nation
Collaboration between GOOD and Dylan C. Lanthrop
Published: April 4, 2011
There is no doubt that representation in Congress fails to reflect the current demographics in the United
States. The number of Congress members that identify as Caucasians heavily outweigh the number of
minority Congress members. Both the CBC and the CHC provide forums for members who identify as
African Americans or Hispanics. Since minority agenda-setting behavior is difficult to assess, according to
individual minority representation in Congress, this research provides another perspective to understand
this behavior in the form of caucuses. Through the analysis of the qualitative data, it is apparent that the
role played by the CBC and CHC, in the lives of these minority Congress members, is critical to their
success, in terms of building a network, sponsoring legislation, and influencing Congress as a voting bloc.
This bar graph depicts the most important legislative priorities for
Congress members in the CBC, according to the answers provided by the
legislative directors.
This bar graph depicts the most important legislative priorities for
Congress members in the CHC, according to the answers provided by the
legislative directors.
Members in the minority caucuses work together to further the interests of minority constituents as a
unified front on political, social, and economic issues. The personal relationships that the members form,
through the coordinated efforts of the caucus staff, have strengthened the voting bloc, enough so, to assert
status quo agenda control. Yet, the minority caucuses’ concerted efforts do not mean that within their
respective caucuses, Congress members agree with each other on every issue.
Meanwhile, the quantitative data is still being collected. As a result, the outcomes are unknown, and more
research will be conducted. Although research is ongoing, there is strong evidence that the caucuses act on
behalf of minority constituents, in order to influence Congress to advance minority interests.