Latino congressional staffers and policy responsiveness: an analysis of Latino interest agenda-setting

Abstract

Surprisingly little research explores whether congressional staffers systematically influence legislative agendas, or whether the descriptive representation of groups like Latinos on congressional staffs shapes policy responsiveness to group interests. I address these questions through an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis of factors associated with the prevalence of Latino interests on legislative agendas during the 110th Congress (2007–2008). Results show the proportions of representatives' legislative agendas that represented Latino interests, especially through symbolic initiatives, were positively associated with the representation of Latinos on their legislative staffs. These findings suggest Latino representation on legislative staffs enhances congressional policy responsiveness to Latinos.