Representative bureaucracy in the federal executive: gender and spending priorities. (Articles).

Representative bureaucracy in the federal executive: gender and spending priorities. (Articles).: "Despite clear and convincing evidence that officials in the fourth branch of government influence policy making (Aberbach, Putnam, and Rockman 1981; Meier 1993b; Rourke 1984), most research on women's distinct impact has focused on those in legislative office. Very little has been written about female representation in the executive branch, even though far more women serve in executive branch positions than in legislative positions. For example, in 2000, 65 women (12.1 percent) served in the U.S. Congress, while over 1500 women (23.4 percent) served in the Senior Executive Service, the top ranks of the federal bureaucracy (CAWP 2000; OPM 2000). Executive women populate all of the cabinet level departments, as well as numerous independent agencies and regulatory commissions, allowing them access to the levers of power in all types of policy areas. If they behave at all like their elected sisters do, their presence should ensure that policy is more responsive to women's concerns."