Senators as Political Entrepreneurs: Using Bill Sponsorship to Shape Legislative Agendas

Abstract

Theory: The interaction of individual legislators with their institutional environment is explored in a study of how and why United States senators use bill sponsorship to help construct their legislative agendas. Hypothesis: A senator's use of bill sponsorship is a function of institutional and political variables including seniority, proximity of reelection, size of state economy, staff size, committee membership and committee positions. Methods: Regression analysis and interviews with Senate legislative staff are used to predict and explain the number of bills senators introduce. Results: Senators are constrained in their use of bill sponsorship by a combination of institutional and political forces. This research suggests that current views of the Senate as a place that lacks structure and predictability in its operations may be overstated.