111th Congress the most polarized measured

Below is a plot of the level of polarization between the two parties in Congress from the 46th Congress (1879-1880) to the most recently adjourned 111th Congress (2009-2010). We measure polarization as the distance between both parties’ first dimension DW-NOMINATE scores, which represent placement along the liberal-conservative ideological scale, in each chamber. Polarization in the House is now at a new all-time high, with the 111th Congress surpassing its previous record set in the 110th Congress. The Senate also became more polarized in the 111th Congress, continuing to trend towards its record high level set in the late 19th century.

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