| The status of women in politics is a subject of constant discussion and research, with a focus on the progress women have made as elected officials. While it is important to look at how women have advanced in elected office, it is also necessary to study how women operate within the legislative bureaucracy. Congress is in the business of passing legislation to solve a myriad of issues, and congressional staffs play a key role in assisting legislators to acquire the necessary information and resources to make appropriate decisions. This paper uses empirical data and quantitative analysis to provide analysis of male and female legislative staff in the U.S. House of Representatives from a gender perspective. The thesis examines three major professional components of legislative staff -- professional hierarchy, salary, and issue-area responsibilities. Furthermore, the thesis investigates how traditional gender stereotypes impact congressional staff and how it may effect how Congress functions. Finally, the thesis applies analytical findings to questions of how to improve gender equity among staff on Capitol Hill. |
