The Effects of Gender on Congressional Behavior and the Substantive Representation of Women

Abstract

This paper examines how gender affects legislative behavior and what significance these effects have for the substantive representation of women. Having examined voting behavior from 1981 to 1992, we confirm that female legislators have voting patterns that are more liberal, yet not significantly different, from those of their male counterparts. When regression is applied, gender remains insignificant in explaining voting behavior until 1991 and 1992, where it demonstrates a significant negative effect. Bill introduction data for the same period reveals that congressional women are introducing women-related legislation proportionate to their number. Finally, examining the cohesion of voting patterns reveals that congressional women are as cohesive as or more cohesive than two ethnic congressional groups but less cohesive than southern Democrats or their male partisan counterparts. In combination, the findings suggest that congressional women display distinctive legislative behavior that portends a greater representation of women and women's issues.