Manipulating the Message in the U.S. Congress

Abstract

This article focuses on politicians' efforts to shape the issue agenda outside Congress. Control of the issue agenda inside the institution is a central part of congressional politics. The majority party exerts extensive control over this agenda, and the minority party often works to subvert that control. However, legislators (particularly those in the minority party) may extend the battle over the congressional agenda beyond the internal operations of Congress by promoting their arguments in the news media. Shaping this broader issue agenda can help politicians pursue their policy and electoral goals. If legislators draw media attention to an issue, they may more successfully move related legislation through Congress. In addition, media attention may publicize legislators' claims and accomplishments to constituents. I find that coordinated support for a single message increases the likelihood that the message receives news coverage. This article illustrates how these media campaigns may be an underappreciated source of bias in our news coverage.