Network Analysis of 45 U.S. Senators

More than 850 connections were found among U.S. Senators, who followed each other on Twitter, including 19 Democrats and 36 Republicans across the country.

David Perdue (@sendavidepersue), the junior U.S. Republican Senator from Georgia, was found the highest in-degree node among the network. According to the analysis outcome, over 80% senators have followed Perdue on Twitter.

As a businessman and politician, Perdue is the only Fortune 500 CEO in Congress. He has over 40 years of business experience, working as a senior position at Reebok and Dollar General.

Higher following rate among the senator network suggests that Perdue has a certain part of influence in his career. He specializes in out-of-control spending, growing the economy and tackling national debit crisis.

Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassely), a senior Senator of the Republican Party from Iowa, who was found the highest out-degree node among the network. Grassley is active in following other senators on Twitter, with the number of 30 out of 45.

In addition to his Senator role, Grassley also serves as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate. During the Vice President’s absence, the President pro tempore is empowered to preside over Senate sessions.

Grassley authored the “Congressional Accountability Act”, applying several civil rights, labor, workplace safety and health laws to the U.S. Congress and its associated agencies.

This ensures equal civil rights protection among all employees at the Congress, preventing members misuses authority and power, that may potentially lead to sexual harassment and further unfair treatments to other workers.

Roy Blunt (@RoyBlunt), the senior Senator from Missouri serving since 2011, was found the highest betweenness node among the network. Blunt got the most connections, who could be the best person to approach to, for the establishment of relationships with other senators.

Blunt also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, and works within multiple committees. Blunt has been elected by the people of Missouri to the U.S. House of Representatives more than once.

The involvement of a variety of committees and organizations would allow Blunt an ability to maintain a strong interpersonal connection, flow information and resources, and help senators to relate to each other in different settings.

Meanwhile, the reciprocity rate of the senator community has reached 0.49, which suggests that almost half of the senators were forming a reciprocal tie and following each other on Twitter.

According to the community diagram, there are three communities can be seen. Rob Portsman (@senrobportsman), a senator of the Republican Party from Ohio, was first elected in 2010. He formed a community himself because he only followed two senators among the network.

Community Network of 45 U.S. Senators

Network Plot of 45 U.S. Senators

Portsman’s major focus is booming the economy, creating jobs, leading the effort to combat the opioids crisis and stop online sex trafficking. He has worked with both Democratic and Republican presidents before to advance his legislative priorities.

The second community was formed with 12 senators of Democratic Party, including seven female senators and five male senators.

Most of the female senators from the network was formed in this community. It provides a voice of women, who can lead their legislative approach and make a difference in the country.

The third community was formed in the mix of seven Democrats, as well as the rest of all Republicans among the network. It shows that Republicans are more likely to band up. Also, some Democrats view Republicans as “more close-minded”.