The Disconnect between Political Rhetoric and Public Policy

Abstract

Representative Lewis (D-GA): It's shameful that you [Rep. Broun] would come here tonight and say to the Department of Justice that you must not use one penny, one cent, one dime, one dollar to carry out the mandate of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Representative Broun (R-GA): I deplore discrimination of any kind. As far as I am concerned, I believe in the Bible. I think it's the only standard of truth that we have. As far as I am concerned, there is only one race of people: it's the human race because we all came from Adam and Eve. And no one – no one should be discriminated against for any reason. I have the same dream that Martin Luther King had … –Representatives John Lewis and Paul Broun on the House floor, May 9, 2012, following Broun's introduction of a bill that would cut funding for enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Congressional Record . As the most vocal politicians have become more centrally integrated in policy networks, the overall tone of minority discussions has also changed in Congress. The political discourse has become more sensitive to racial issues and, writ large, the cordial “nice speech” driven by political correctness has grown. Of course, we have the occasional racist rants and insensitive speech that rise to the forefront and gain national attention, but these episodes are few and far between. Overall, politicians who speak about race in the 21st century openly embrace the idea of racial equity and racial progress. Yet among the greatest fears citizens have, especially members of marginalized groups who do not comprise a majority, is that political rhetoric is meaningless, or that politicians use language to disguise their true policy intentions. This chapter seeks to understand whether Congress members’ appeals to racial and ethnic minorities are mirrored in their policy actions or are just empty words. Political discourse can be used to inform and to rally support for minority issues, but it can also be used by politicians to intentionally misrepresent their policy preferences. The conflicting messages sent by Representative Broun's attempt in 2012 to gut funding from the Voting Rights Act of 1965 while denouncing racial discrimination exemplify the duality that exists between political rhetoric and public policy.