Women as Congressional Staffers:

Abstract

Based on interviews with and questionnaire responses from 200 House and Senate staff members, this article explores attitudinal and behavioral differences between male and female congressional casework staffers. The results indicate that there are some differences of importance: Women seem more committed to casework, are less skeptical of constituents' problems, seem more forthright and concerned with norms of equity, and are more apt to link casework to other (legislative) functions of Congress. No differences exist, however, with respect to casework success. Serveral implications are discussed.