Presidents Do Influence Voting in the U. S. Congress: New Definitions and Measurements

To evaluate presidential influence on congressional voting decisions, this study uses a new definition and measurement of "influence." It finds, contrary to congressional decision-making studies, that presidents do influence voting decisions on domestic issues. Since presidential influence is variable, the major concern of the study is to identify the policies and contexts which enhance his influence. In general, when a president is responsible for a policy area, he receives support from his party's congressional members; change in the decisional context also provides opportunities for presidential influence. The interactions between presidential leadership and other forces also modifies the extent of presidential influence.