House/Senate: Bicameral Difference in Congress

• In Event: American Political Development

Abstract

This paper evaluates the impact of bicameralism, including the divergent apportionment schemes of the U.S. House and Senate, on the contemporary legislative process in Congress, 1945-2024. The consequences of bicameral difference long have been of concern to congressional scholars, but in recent years also have been front-and-center in public discourse. Are the consequences of the important structural distinctions that exist between the chambers magnified or reduced by rampant partisan polarization and the nationalization of American politics? To gain empirical traction, I create several new databases, including (a) bill-specific indicators coded from a sample of over 1000 major measures considered by the House and/or Senate since World War II; (b) all instances where both chambers conducted roll call votes on identical or very similar language at roughly the same point in time; and (c) more in-depth case studies of congressional action in areas such as tax reform, immigration, race and agriculture. The results clarify our understanding of how institutional differences between the House and Senate affect leadership strategy and the construction of legislation in a polarized America.

Author

• C. Lawrence Evans, College of William & Mary