Committee advancement of women and blacks in congress: A test of the responsible legislator thesis

Getting ahead in Congress appears to require certain qualities: A desire to follow congressional norms, a willingness to compromise and build coalitions, and a general understanding of playing the political game. Concerns about institutional advancement have particular significance for women, minorities, and other groups typically excluded from the legislative process. In the crucial arena of committee assignments. Masters has outlined the electoral, institutional, and personal characteristics necessary for advancement. Using data on the committee assignments of women and black members since 1965, this paper tests Masters' hypotheses. Findings suggest political backgrounds, electoral safety and party loyalty lead to advancement; long tenure and ideological moderation do not. Reasons for and implications of these findings are assesed.