Representing Latinos: Examining Descriptive and Substantive Representation in Congress. (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wallace, Sophia J.
• Is Part Of: Political research quarterly. Volume 67:Number 4(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 917
• Page End: 929
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: representation -- Latino politics -- legislative behavior -- U.S. Congress; Political science -- Periodicals; Science politique -- Périodiques; 320
• DOI: 10.1177/1065912914541795
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1065-9129

Abstract

Using an original data set of roll call votes and bill co-sponsorships across three high salience issues (immigration, labor, and education) and one low salience issue (social security), this article analyzes the 111th Congress to assess representation of Latinos. Partisanship is the key determinant in member behavior on voting, not the member's race or ethnicity or constituent demographics. For bill co-sponsorships, Latino members are only more active on high salience issue areas compared with non-Latino members. Increases in Latino population do not influence behavior. The results also indicate that African American and Democratic legislators offer Latinos considerable amounts of substantive representation.