Working Paper PDF: Representatives Report Presidents' Legislative Activity to Constituents

Abstract: Congressional research has long documented representatives’ various forms of homestyle self- promotion in their communications with constituents, yet we know less about if and how representatives enlist homestyle strategies to promote the reputations of their party. Do representatives try to shape their party’s reputations in the district by positioning themselves in support or opposition of the administration? The prevalence of down-ticket and straight-ticket voting gives members’ large stakes in their party’s reputation, especially co-partisans who stand to benefit or suffer from the president’s performance as the country’s most visible leader. Examining over 300,000 press releases sent by House members to their districts during the 109th through 115th Congresses, we find that in addition to votes and other behaviors, representatives strategically report the presidents’ legislative preferences and their reactions. Party affiliation of the House member compared to that of the president, party control of the chamber and the White House, and the president’s current popularity all prove significantly determinant of a representative’s communication strategy. These decisions about whether and how to invoke the president in their press releases have broader implications than just reelection though – they may also shape constituents’ views of the president. Presidents can be presented positively as an ally to Congress in its pursuit of good laws, a champion of party ideals, and a key defender against the opposition party’s attempts at policy change, or they may be characterized negatively as a recalcitrant roadblock who refuses to cooperate with Congress for the good of the country. 

Suggested Citation: Nemerever, Zoe, Laurie L. Rice, and Samuel Kernell. (Working Paper). "Representatives Report Presidents' Legislative Activity to Constituents", Presented at APSA 2018.