Center for Effective Lawmaking
@TheLawmakers
Building a Better Congress. We advance the generation, communication, and use of knowledge about the effectiveness of lawmakers. (RTs are not endorsements)
ANNOUNCEMENT: See the highlights of @TheLawmakers brand new updated Legislative Effectiveness Scores for the 118th Congress (1/2): thelawmakers.org/legislative-ef… #USCongress #USSenate #Lawmakers #LegislativeEffectiveness @UVABatten @VandyPoliSci @craigvolden
Does bipartisanship enhance legislative success in state legislatures? In this paper, @MackenzieDobso2 extends Harbridge-Yong, Volden, and Wiseman’s (2023) work and finds that bipartisanship is positively associated with lawmaking success. Read here: tinyurl.com/2v7ev5t2
@TheLawmakers co-hosted a discussion panel on Capitol Hill that examined the importance of legislative negotiations and other keys to effective lawmaking: thelawmakers.org/events/effecti…
In this conversation with our Co-Directors Craig Volden and Alan Wiseman, New York Assembly Member Amy Paulin reflects on her decades of public service and shares insights on what makes for effective lawmaking in the New York Assembly. Link to blog post: tinyurl.com/2kc9m4j7
@TheLawmakers are excited to welcome @PuckNews Chief Washington Correspondent @LACaldwellDC to our Board of Advisors. Learn more about her here: thelawmakers.org/about-the-cel/…
This @TheLawmakers working paper from @craigvolden (@UVABatten), Alan Wiseman (@VandyPoliSci), @dmariethomsen (@UCIrvine), and Sarah Treul (@UNC) examines how likely effective state lawmakers are to be elected to Congress: thelawmakers.org/legislative-an…
Do lawmakers with prior experience govern better? A new CEL-funded study by Eric Hansen & CEL affiliate Sarah Treul finds that while lawyers & former state reps tend to be more effective, not all experience predicts legislative success. Read more: thelawmakers.org/blog/prior-exp…
Also available now: "Strategies of Control: Members of Congress and Policy Outcomes" by @LauterbachErinn (@VillanovaU) and Melinda N. Ritchie (@OhioState) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.11…
A published paper in @LSQjournal from @LauterbachErinn (@VillanovaU) and Melinda Ritchie (@OhioState) examines how members of the U.S. House of Representatives leverage their comparative advantages to shape and pass legislation: thelawmakers.org/legislative-re…
CEL Co-Directors Craig Volden & Alan Wiseman joined Nevada leaders at the Gallagher Dialogues to discuss what makes state lawmakers effective—and why bipartisanship still matters. PBS Reno will air the event later this summer. Blog: tinyurl.com/mtfaby5x Photo: @GuinnCenter
Last week, the CEL hosted its 7th Annual Research Conference. To learn more about the conference and the winners of our 2025 Best Publication on Effective Lawmaking Award, please visit our blog. Conference recap: tinyurl.com/2bwe7czn Award info: tinyurl.com/2wyzhwud
This @TheLawmakers working paper from @MichaelRKistner, Robert Alvarez, @Lucas_Lothamer, @Maya_Fitch12, @MJHeseltine, and @beth_simas examines how congressional communications have evolved since the onset of the social media era: thelawmakers.org/legislative-re…
Read it now! "Getting what you pay for: Resource allocations and legislative success" by @emilyommundsen (@OleMiss). 🔗 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.111…
A published paper in @LSQjournal from @emilyommundsen (of @OleMiss) assesses the personal qualities and institutional circumstances that motivate the budgetary decisions of Members of Congress: thelawmakers.org/legislative-re…
Join the CEL for a conversation with New Mexico State Senator Mimi Stewart. Senator Stewart reflects on her decades of public service and shares insights on what makes for effective lawmaking in the New Mexico legislature. Link to blog post: tinyurl.com/3dff4dpe
We at the Center for Effective Lawmaking are saddened by the passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly. For reflections on his life and legacy of effective lawmaking, please watch our interview with the Congressman here: thelawmakers.org/conversations-…
From the latest issue of the QJPS, “Pivots or Partisans? Proposal-Making Strategy and Status Quo Selection in Congress” by @jcrohsaine, @GeoffLorenz, and @zfurnas. A thread.
A published paper in @qjps_editors from @jcrohsaine (of @PurdueLibArts), Alexander Furnas (of @KelloggSchool), and @GeoffLorenz (of @UNLPoliSci) discusses the effectiveness of proposal-writing strategies in Congress: thelawmakers.org/legislative-re…
Enjoyed seeing this paper a while back, and really glad it is in print! Super cool data and important implications for understanding the reputational payoffs of effective lawmkaing.
A published paper in @PoPpublicsphere from Jaclyn Kaslovsky, Michael P. Olson (both of @WUSTLPoliSci), and Tabitha Koch (@RiceUniversity) examines if legislative and electoral accomplishments translate into perceived influence differently by gender: thelawmakers.org/legislative-re…