Environmentalism in the United States: A Study of Public Opinion and Congressional Voting Patterns

Indianapolis, IN

The purpose of this analysis was to ascertain the effect of certain factors on U.S. public opinion relating to the protection of the environment. In addition, this analysis seeks to describe what voting patterns exist relating to environmental legislation in the U.S. Congress. The effects of the following factors on public opinion relating to environmental protection were considered: Family income, political ideology, party affiliation, and ethnicity. Congressional voting patterns were assessed by individual chamber (House of Representatives and Senate) and Congress as a whole body. The American National Election Studies (ANES) and voting data obtained from the Policy Agendas Project were used in the study of congressional voting patterns. Subsequent data analysis indicated that both public opinion and Congressional voting with respect to the environment have increased over time. An inverse relationship exists between public support of the environment and family income, conservative political ideology, and Republican Party affiliation among others. Congressional environmental legislation concerning toxic waste, recycling, and Global Warming have increased in prevalence since 1974 whereas drinking water regulation and species and forest protection have steadily decreased over the same period. Possible explanations for these variances are considered.