Institutionalizing a Partisan-Gender Identity

Abstract Chapter 4 examines the collective action of Republican congresswomen. Through case studies of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues (CCWI) and the Republican Women’s Policy Committee (RWPC), the chapter demonstrates how institutional and political changes over time have shaped the recognition and mobilization of a partisan-gender identity among Republican women. The first half of the chapter examines the evolution of CCWI membership, focusing on Republican women. It shows how ideological differences, party loyalty, and institutional changes have affected Republican congresswomen’s decisions to work within the bipartisan women’s caucus. The second half of the chapter discusses how this partisan-gender identity would gradually become institutionalized as the RWPC. Through an analysis of the formation of the RWPC, it shows how ideological cohesion, interparty competition, and changes in the political environment have resulted in opportunities for women to organize collectively within the GOP. Chapter 4 also reveals the various challenges faced by Republican congresswomen and the significance of male party leaders as gatekeepers.