Culture Wars in the Congressional Theater: How the U.S. House of Representatives Legislates Morality, 1993–1998

Elizabeth A. Oldmixon

Social Science Quarterly, 2002, vol. 83, issue 3, 775-788

Abstract: Objective. This article explores the politics of cultural conflict in the U.S. House of Representatives (1993–1998) by analyzing legislator decision making on reproductive issues. Because reproductive policies represent a major contemporary cultural cleavage between feminists and religious traditionalists, decision making should be influenced by elite – and district –level variables reflective of culture. Methods. Pro –choice support scores are derived and, using OLS, are regressed on elite – and district –level cultural and noncultural variables. Results. Republican partisanship and elite ideological and religious conservatism produce low levels of support for pro –choice reproductive policies. Conclusions. Cultural theory is a useful lens through which to view congressional politics. In the area of reproductive policy, legislator decision making is influenced by an array of cultural considerations.

Date: 2002
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