Graduation Year
2020
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Political Science
Program or Major
Political Science
Faculty Advisor
Geoffrey Vaughan
Abstract
The literature on political polarization and bipartisanship is plentiful, but very few have specifically studied how bipartisan cosponsorship has changed in light of the growing partisan divide, or why that particular legislative activity is even important to begin with. Using Senate cosponsorship data from the 93rd to the 115th session of Congress, this paper argues that cosponsorship patterns show an increase in hidden bipartisanship despite an increase in the polarization of roll-call votes. First, I will detail the evolution of party polarization. Having presented that background, I will then provide a brief history of bipartisanship, its advantages, and the obstacles that it has faced and continues to face in the context of the current divisive political climate.
Recommended Citation
Irwin, Kiera, "The Effect of Party Polarization on Bipartisan Cosponsorship in the United States Senate" (2020). Honors Theses. 70.
https://digitalcommons.assumption.edu/honorstheses/70