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How Do Campaign Contributions from Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Influence Senators’ Policy Decisions?
by Ashlyn Hankey
Abstract
This paper examines the influence of the main interest groups in the debate over amending Section 936 of bill HR 4210, a bill that grants tax credits to American manufacturers with sites in Puerto Rico. The amendment proposed to place stipulations on the pharmaceutical manufacturers’ eligibility for the credit to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Using the Logit model, the effects of each of these groups is seen on the voting behavior of the senators of the 101st Congress on this bill. The study concluded that the main factor affecting voting outcomes for senators on Section 936 was party affiliation.
Professor Edward Tower, Faculty Advisor
JEL Codes: D72,
Congressional Voting on the Secure Fence Act of 2006: Political Posturing Overshadows Campaign Contributions
by Simon Alexander Blank
Abstract
This study examines the determinants of voting on the 2006 Secure Fence Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. First, a simultaneous probit-Tobit model is used to account for the endogenous nature of campaign contributions. It reveals five significant determinants of campaign contributions from Agribusiness—political ideology, membership on the Committee on Agriculture, Mexican border geography, urbanization, and seniority—only to find that industry donations were not levered to affect Congress members’ votes. A multivariate probit analysis reveals that political posturing, constituent interests, political ideology, environmentalism, and district racial composition all helped determine representatives’ votes on the bill.
Professor Ed Tower, Faculty Advisor
JEL Codes: D72,
