Improving Minority Representation in U.S

. Congress Today

School

Chamberlain College of Nursing**We aren't endorsed by this school

Course

POLI 330 N

Subject

Political Science

Date

Dec 11, 2024

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Uploaded by MagistrateGalaxyDuck28

Week 5 Assignment : Representation in CongressChamberlain UniversityPoli330N: Political ScienceProfessor Powell

Elections are an imperative part of the country’s political makeup, especially in ensuring a democratic governance. As politics become more and more popular, the concern of representation of minority groups becomes topic of conversation more. Representation for women, African Americans, Asians, Latinos, and LBGTQ communities has been requested by thevoters. In the 2020 elections there were 126 women elected into congress, which was 24% of the members. Out of the 126 women, 46 were a part of minority groups. (CAWP, 2020) Additionally, there is currently only 53 members of congress who are of Hispanic/Latin background. This making up just under 10% of congress. As for members representing the LGBTQ community, they only make up 2% of congress. There are various reasons for the underrepresentation of some of these groups. Mainly for women there is a lack of support, whether it be from other women or men. Sanbonmatsu (2020) highlights the irony of underrepresentation of women since women make up a high majority of voters. Additionally, party membership influences underrepresentation. For example, women democrats have been known to influence more voters that are required to win over their republican counterparts (Sanbonmatsu, 2020). Anti-gay laws banning LGBTQ relations created an underrepresentation. However, as acceptance of the community has increased there should be an increase of representation within congress. Even with underrepresentation, it should be noted that the representation of both women and minority groups have improved greatly over time. Sanbonmatsu (2020) argues that women representation for instance, has improved to the fact that more women have focused on contesting for elective seats. This leading to an increasing number over the years. More and more minorities are becoming vocal about seeing representation of their communities.

Yes, is it possible that underrepresentation has a negative effect on congress’s business. If given the opportunity these groups could influence change in the leadership of the country. Furthermore, there interest would be well communicated, and this too can impact the functions of the US Congress. In discussion of changing underrepresentation, the barriers that hinder minorities from being successful in elections must be addressed. Using social movements or media to create awareness is crucial in educating the public on the need to improve representation of their minority group within congress. Current elected members also have a job to do their absolute best in office to promote more interest in other minority elects. Collectively as a nation, we need to exercise and demand equality to ensure minorities are evenly represented in political leadership.

ReferencesCAWP. (2021). Women in the U.S. Congress 2020 | CAWP. Retrieved from:https://cawp.rutgers.edu/women-us-congress-2020Flores, A., Magni, G., & Reynolds, A. (November, 2020). 11 openly LGBTQ lawmakers willtake their seats in the next Congress. That’s a record in

both numbers and diversity. TheWashington Post. Retrieved 31 March 2022, fromhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/30/11-lgbtq-legislators-will-take-their-seats-next-congress-largest-most-diverse-group-ever/Sanbonmatsu, K. (2020). Women’s Underrepresentation in

the U.S. Congress | AmericanAcademy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved from:https://www.amacad.org/publication/womens-underrepresentation-us-congressCAWP. (2021). Women in the U.S. Congress 2020 | CAWP. Retrieved from:https://cawp.rutgers.edu/women-us-congress-2020

Flores, A., Magni, G., & Reynolds, A. (November, 2020). 11 openly LGBTQ lawmakers willtake their seats in the next Congress. That’s a record in both numbers and diversity. TheWashington Post. Retrieved 31 March 2022, fromhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/30/11-

lgbtq-legislators-will-take-their-seats-next-congress-largest-most-diverse-group-ever/Sanbonmatsu, K. (2020). Women’s Underrepresentation in the U.S. Congress | AmericanAcademy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved from:https://www.amacad.org/publication/womens-underrepresentation-us-congress

CAWP. (2021). Women in the U.S. Congress 2020 | CAWP. Retrieved from:https://cawp.rutgers.edu/women-us-congress-2020Flores, A., Magni, G., & Reynolds, A. (November, 2020). 11 openly LGBTQ lawmakers willtake their seats in the next Congress. That’s a record in

Women in the U.S. congress 2020. Center for American Women and Politics. (n.d.).https://cawp.rutgers.edu/facts/levels-office/congress/women-us-congress-2020 Sanbonmatsu, K. (2020). Women’s underrepresentation in the U.S. congress. American Academy of Arts & Sciences. https://www.amacad.org/publication/daedalus/womens-underrepresentation-us-congress