Research indicates that congresswomen are more effective at moving bills through the lawmaking process than their male counterparts. To investigate why, we discuss what legislative entrepreneurship involves and explain why it can serve as the basis for problem-solving and effective lawmaking in the U.S. Congress. We also examine the entrepreneurial work that members of Congress did on behalf of bills that they sponsored from 1973 to 2008. Among other findings, we observe that congresswomen, especially those in the minority party, are more entrepreneurial than their male colleagues. This finding enhances our understanding of why female lawmakers are more effective lawmakers.

Table of Contents Chapter 1: Do Congresswomen have an impact on policy concerning women's issues?... 1 Chapter 2: Participation of Members of Congress in Committee Hearings Considering Women's Issues… 22 Chapter 3: How the Women of Congress Handle Oversight of Women's Issues…58 Chapter 4: Substantive Representation Revisited: The Relationship of Gender to District Characteristics…74 Chapter 5: Conclusion: Are the women of Congress making a difference in the dynamics of the institution?…99 Bibliography…124 Appendix…134 1 Chapter 1: Do Congresswomen have an impact on policy concerning women's issues? Academics, commentators, and private citizens who are concerned with gender equality are concerned that gender disparities continue in government. We have yet to see a woman elected president and the percentage of women serving in Congress is 19.4% (CAWP) out of 535 seats.