My research examines how institutional design and development affects the decisions of policymakers. In my dissertation, I ask how the transformation of the “textbook” Congress into a body beset by partisanship affects the way policymakers interact with policy-relevant information. I argue that the increase in partisanship reduces the utility of non-partisan, expert information, such as that from legislative support agencies like the Congressional Budget Office and Congressional Research Service. With a novel dataset of House committee members citing the CBO and CRS, I find that the parties are asymmetric in their approach to information in policymaking and therefore use once-unifying sources like the CBO to meet their distinct partisan goals. 

Working Papers

“Her Preference: The Committee Preferences of Black Women in Congress” (With Curtis Edmonds)

“Re-writing the Contract? Effects of Congressional Retirement on Lame Duck Voting”