Popular public policies, from climate action to major infrastructure investments, can’t make it through Congress. According to research from Dr. Leah Stokes, one big reason this happens is that congressional staff significantly underestimate how popular these policies are, including with their own constituents. We discuss a study she co-authored of senior Congressional staffers that shows how conservative business interests shape perceptions on Capitol Hill and how legislatures can bring more perspectives from unions, mass movements and everyday citizens to their work.

Find Close Read on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon and Google Podcasts. Or subscribe via RSS feed. Follow Close Read on Twitch and Youtube. Subscribe on Patreon for early releases, previous episodes, full show notes and transcripts.