ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book aims to apply a principal-agent theory to leadership institutions within the House of Representatives. In particular, the theory attempted to shed light on the changing institutional and procedural role of the House Rules Committee and special rules respectively. The institutional changes to the Rules Committee were placed in a theoretical framework to better understand their significance in shaping congressional politics and the making of public policy. The principal-agent model is tied directly to the party-centered view of congressional politics. The empirical evidence in Rules for War that ultimately links the significance of the Rules Committee controlled by the majority party and the effects of this relationship on policy-making in the US House. Evidence of the changing incentives is seen on member voting behavior on amendments and special rules.
