Members of Congress from and representing racial minority groups often find themselves in a unique predicament: their constituencies tend to be more economically disadvantaged than those of their white colleagues; and they themselves experience marginalization during the process of policy formulation on Capitol Hill. Twists of Fate explores dynamics of influence in the policy process, and the consequent formation of multiracial coalitions as a means to improve minority representation in the House of Representatives. I build a theory of linked political fate, wherein I argue that the political ... More

Members of Congress from and representing racial minority groups often find themselves in a unique predicament: their constituencies tend to be more economically disadvantaged than those of their white colleagues; and they themselves experience marginalization during the process of policy formulation on Capitol Hill. Twists of Fate explores dynamics of influence in the policy process, and the consequent formation of multiracial coalitions as a means to improve minority representation in the House of Representatives. I build a theory of linked political fate, wherein I argue that the political fates of different racial minority groups are linked to one another in various stages of the federal legislative process. Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods, including historical analysis, roll call data, and elite interviews, I argue that judicial decisions have overlooked or omitted the contextual understanding necessary to assess the ability for racial minority groups to effect change. Using forty-seven in-depth, semi-structured interviews with members of the House of Representatives, I explore the rise of the Congressional Tri-Caucus, and find that members from and representing communities of color have adopted alternative strategies for success in order to navigate certain structural hurdles to advocating for their constituencies. Despite local-level tensions that often characterize interracial politics, lawmakers from the Congressional Black, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific American Caucuses stress unity and solidarity in their approach to policy formulation and voting behavior.