Congressional Careers: Contours of Life in the U.S. House of Representatives

by John R. Hibbing

Overview

According to a Gallup poll, 70 percent of Americans want elected officials to serve only a limited number of terms. Nevertheless, every two years American voters return, on average, more than 95 percent of incumbents to the U.S. House of Representatives. John Hibbing's book provides unique evidence of the problems that would result from congressional term limitations.

The first scholar to analyze congressional careers using longitudinal data, Hibbing looks at how the career patterns of a typical House member have evolved over the last forty years. By showing that the gap between the legislative contributions of junior and senior members has grown in recent years, Hibbing contends that as members gain in seniority they become more knowledgeable, efficient, and valuable legislators. Thus he argues against congressional term limitations.

Hibbing's findings illuminate other fundamental and surprising changes. House members now are as electorally secure early in their careers as they are late, and they are less likely to deviate from their previously established roll call voting pattern. Members acquire positions of authority (subcommittee chairs) more quickly than they used to, but these more rapid gains evaporate by the sixth or seventh term of service. Also, House members travel to their home districts less frequently than they did ten years ago.

Congressional Careers is a fascinating portrait of the evolution of American legislators during their congressional service. It is the only study of congressional behavior that is both comprehensive and longitudinal -- valuable features in an era when congressional careerism is coming under acute public scrutiny.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781469639833
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	10/01/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	230
File size:	4 MB

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Hibbing's methodology and substantive findings are important for serious students of American politics.—Choice

In this gracefully written book, Hibbing gives us a richly informative account of modern career patterns in the U.S. House of Representatives. His analysis will be of interest to all students of Congress and is fundamental to any serious discussion of the wisdom of term limits.—Gary C. Jacobson, University of California, San Diego

Editorial Reviews

Gracefully written.

Gary C. Jacobson, University of California, San Diego

"Gracefully written.

Gary C. Jacobson, University of California, San Diego"

Hibbing's methodology and substantive findings are important for serious students of American politics.

"Choice"

From the Publisher