The Influence on Policy
A central question about women officeholders is whether they make a policy difference in office. Female members of Congress have been more likely than men to advocate for women's issues bills, particularly feminist bills, throughout the legislative process. Women's dedication to women's issues is mediated by both the party in power and their position in the institution, such as their status as members of the majority or minority party and their committee positions. With that being said, political winds still have not destroyed their commitment. In comparison to men, women in Congress tend to sponsor more bills concerning women's issues, which is understandable because men will not see it as a priority and the women of America have a voice that needs to be heard. Women legislators view women's issues, both social welfare and feminist, as a higher priority on their legislative agenda and are more likely to see their women's issues initiatives passed into law. Women are more likely to support more government spending on social services.
Lewis, Janet V. Women and Women's Issues in Congress: 1832-2000. Huntington, NY: Nova Science, 2001. Print.
Lewis, Janet V. Women and Women's Issues in Congress: 1832-2000. Huntington, NY: Nova Science, 2001. Print.
The important relationship between social identity and the intensity of commitment to issues that have a direct impact on the social group holds meaningful connectionss for understanding the influence of other politically significant social identities, such as race and sexual orientation, on the policy priorities of individual legislation (Swers, 2002). However, simply increasing the number of women and other minorities in Congress will not automatically lead to enhanced influence on policy design since presence in the institution does not necessarily mean power over legislative outcomes. This does not decrease the importance of increasing women in Congress; however it is important to keep in mind that women’s influence on policy is constrained by other factors such as position within the institution (Swers, 2002). Level of seniority, access to committee positions, and status as a member in the minority/majority party heavily determines the influence of a member. Being that most of women currently in office were elected in 1992, commonly known as “The Year of the Woman”, they lack seniority. As a result, their access to leadership positions have been limited severely, denying them the power needed to shape the public policy that comes with such positions (Swers, 2002). Until woman gain more seats on prestigious committees with broad legislative jurisdictions such as Ways and Means, Appropriations, and Energy and Commerce, their ability to bring their gender-related concerns and their unique experiences to the policymaking table are reduced (Swers, 2002). Furthermore, status as a member of the majority or minority party determines the extent of a legislators influence. Majority status brings agenda control and an opportunity to achieve action on one’s most appreciated legislative priorities. Being that most of the women in Congress are Democrats means that they are currently in the minority party giving very little room to maneuver influence on policy of women’s issues (Swers, 2002).
Swers, Michele L. The Difference Women Make: The Policy Impact of Women in Congress. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2002. Print.
Swers, Michele L. The Difference Women Make: The Policy Impact of Women in Congress. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2002. Print.
Social Welfare Issues (Women's Traditional Concerns)
*Caregivers *Education *Health Care *Welfare *Protection of Welfare |
Feminist Issues (Initiatives that Seek to Achieve Role Equity and Role Change)
*Bills Protecting Reproductive Rights *Expanding Family and Medical Leave *Helping Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment |
Anti-Feminist Legislation (Seeks to Inhibit any threat to the tradition family)
*Legislation Restricting Abortion *Eliminating Affirmative Action Programs for Women *Prohibiting Gay Marriage |