Culture Wars in Policy: The Impact of Far-Right Legislators on U.S. Higher Education Discourse

This paper examines the relationship between the growing presence of far-right legislators in the U.S. Congress and shifts in higher education policy discourse from 2008 to 2024. Using machine learning models, the study analyzes congressional speeches and press releases from the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. It identifies higher education-related content and measures polarization and ideological shifts over time. Higher education, traditionally associated with left-leaning priorities, has increasingly become a site of political contestation. Far-right legislators have amplified its role in broader culture war dynamics, politicizing previously neutral topics and intensifying partisan divides. The analysis also explores how non-far-right legislators respond to these changes. Preliminary findings suggest that far-right influence reshapes the framing of higher education, prompting shifts in rhetoric across the political spectrum. Some legislators adopt defensive strategies to protect traditional issue ownership, while others adapt to the changing discourse. These dynamics highlight a reconfiguration of party issue ownership and the growing politicization of education policy. The findings have broader implications for other countries experiencing a rise in far-right representation. They offer insights into how ideological shifts disrupt policy debates in areas traditionally dominated by left-wing priorities. This research contributes to discussions on polarization, issue ownership, and the cultural dynamics shaping public policy.