UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENTS AS LEADERSHIP TOOLS

Unanimous consent agreements are the main tool the U.S. Senate majorit y leader uses to perform several functions. The leader guides floor pr oceedings by utilizing these agreements to restrict amendments and to limit time for debate. Scholars have argued that unanimous consent agr eements are a service tool used to appease the demands of an increasin gly individualistic Senate. We use a bargaining model to demonstrate t hat these agreements can be a leadership tool. In addition, we highlig ht the importance of institutional innovations leaders have adopted to maintain the durability of unanimous consent agreements as leadership tools.