Wednesday, February 8
3:30 - 5:00 PM
Charles E. Merrill Lounge
Abstract
Appropriations, as “must pass legislation,” offer an alternative means of policymaking when legislation is otherwise gridlocked. I show that a larger gridlock interval and greater ideological distance between the House and Senate promote the use of appropriations bills as substantive policymaking vehicles. The effect is especially pronounced when new chamber majorities come to power. I discuss the implications of these findings for recent congressional terms, and for what might happen in the 118th Congress.
About
Josh Ryan is an associate professor of political science at Utah State University. His research focuses on American institutions, especially Congress, the president, state legislatures and executives. His articles have appeared in The Journal of Politics, Legislative Studies Quarterly and Political Research Quarterly, among other outlets. He is also the author of the book, The Congressional Endgame, published by the University of Chicago press in 2018, and has twice won the Jewell-Loewenberg Award for the best article published on American politics in Legislative Studies Quarterly.
