New empirical findings reveal how members of Congress directly influence U.S. Department of Labor decisions regarding trade and redistributive policies.

Direct Contact Influences Outcomes

* Legislators frequently engage with agencies like the DOL through direct communication channels.

* These interactions are successful in altering agency policy implementation.

* Agencies show a tendency to reverse prior decisions upon receiving requests from legislators.

Methodology and Data Source

This research relies on unique original data tracking direct communications between Congress members and federal agencies.

Our findings challenge established assumptions about interbranch relations, specifically questioning the effectiveness of informal control mechanisms previously thought less influential. This evidence suggests a significant role for personal interactions in shaping bureaucratic implementation.