The Effect of Partisanship on the Passage of Environmental Legislation

Authors

Samantha Yoest, Illinois Wesleyan UniversityFollow

Abstract

This paper addresses the question of how partisanship plays a role in congressional productivity by looking at the number of environmental laws passed each year. This includes analysis of anti-environmental legislation and the connection to party. It was found that, on average, Democratic majorities produce more environmental laws than Republican majorities. Not only that, but polarization has the largest influence on environmental legislation. With an increase in polarization on environmental issues, more anti-environmental legislation is being voted on in Congress, and fewer environmental laws are being passed per year. Ultimately, the conditions producing the lowest number of roll-back environmental bills are a polarized, unified Republican government. The conditions producing the most progressive environmental bills would be an unpolarized, divided Democratic government.

Recommended Citation

Yoest, Samantha (2018) "The Effect of Partisanship on the Passage of Environmental Legislation," Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 23
Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol23/iss1/7