Suburban Foundations of the New Congress

Abstract

Both Congress and the American suburbs are undergoing major reformations. The election of large and increasing numbers of suburban representatives to Congress means that, today and in the future, Congress must deal with the policy positions and reform preferences of sub urbanites. This article examines the behavior of suburban legislators in the House of Representatives as a reflection of political changes taking place in the suburbs which will influence current and future congressional policy making. Competing interpretations of the political significance of the emerging American suburbs are discussed and evaluated.