The Hill News

Congresswomen bring back more money to their legislative districts on average and attract more co-sponsors to their legislation than their male colleagues, a recent study found. 

The study from political scientists at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy found that women in Congress tend to bring, on average, 9 percent more money in federal projects to their districts than men. The difference equals $49 million in extra funding for federal discretionary programs, the study found.

Researchers also reported that female members of Congress sponsor or co-sponsor more legislation than their male counterparts and that their bills usually attract more co-sponsors. 

“Two fundamental jobs of congressional representatives are constituency service, which includes bringing home federal projects as well as other direct work with constituents, and legislating, which means writing bills and shepherding them through the lawmaking process,” sa! id Christopher Berry, one of the study's authors. “The evidence shows that the women in Congress outperform the men on both levels.”

Berry noted that even though women win more money for their districts and attract more co-sponsors, fewer decide to run for elected office. He speculated that discrimination against female candidates may force them to work harder.   

“In either case, the central implication of sexâ€"based political selection is that the women we observe in office will, on average, outperform the men,” Berry said.

The findings took into account factors like party affiliation, majority party status, committee assignments and seniority.