The Congressional Experience

by Price,David E.

• ISBN13: 9780813342627
• ISBN10: 0813342627
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-08-06
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Congressman David Price proves he is uniquely qualified to guide us through the labyrinth of rules, roles, and representatives that is Congress. This third edition is thoroughly updated to cover developments over the past several years - the Bush presidency, consolidated Republican control of the White House and Congress, the plunge from budget surpluses to record deficits, and the "Bush revolution" in foreign policy. A new chapter has also been on defense and foreign affairs, emphasizing the author's own work on Middle East policy and Congress' handling of the war in Iraq. The reader gets a clear sense of the challenges, disappointments, elation, and deep concerns implicit in serving as a member of Congress-especially the kind of member David Price has chosen to be.

Author Biography

David E. Price, a former professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University, has represented North Carolina's Fourth Congressional District since 1987. He is an at-large Democratic Whip and a member of the Appropriations committee.

Table of Contents

List of Figures and Tables	ix
Preface to the First Edition	xi
Preface to the Second Edition	xiii
Preface to the Third Edition	xv
Introduction	1	(8)
Getting Elected	9	(20)
The First Campaign	11	(7)
Getting Reelected	18	(5)
The Third Campaign	23	(6)
Defeat and Return	29	(34)
The Revolution Hits Home	30	(7)
Comeback	37	(6)
Campaigning in Clinton's Shadow, 1998	43	(7)
The 2000 and 2002 Campaigns	50	(4)
Campaign Reform	54	(9)
Getting Adjusted	63	(14)
Getting Started	63	(3)
Setting Up Shop	66	(3)
Family and Career	69	(8)
Finding a Niche	77	(18)
Banking, Science, and Small Business	79	(2)
Pursuing Appropriations	81	(5)
Appropriations Regained	86	(3)
Informal Groups and Caucuses	89	(6)
Policy Entrepreneurship	95	(40)
The Home Equity Loan Consumer Protection Act	97	(4)
Amending the Housing Bill	101	(6)
Education and Training Initiatives	107	(9)
Appropriations Initiatives	116	(11)
The EPA Building Saga	127	(8)
Budget Politics	135	(44)
From Reaganomics to ``Read My Lips''	137	(6)
Budget Summitry, 1990	143	(8)
The 1993 Budget Battle	151	(6)
The 1997 Agreement and Beyond	157	(9)
The Great Reversal	166	(13)
Parties and Partisanship	179	(40)
Parties and Elections	180	(4)
Organizing the House	184	(8)
The Party Network	192	(7)
The Limits of Partisanship	199	(20)
Foreign Policy and Defense	219	(22)
Parliament to Parliament	220	(4)
Promoting Middle East Peace	224	(8)
The ``Use of Force''	232	(9)
Serving the District	241	(14)
Keeping in Touch	241	(6)
Casework and Grants	247	(4)
Appropriations	251	(4)
Religion and Politics	255	(18)
Religious Agendas	256	(6)
The Two Realms	262	(11)
Ethics Beyond the Rule Book	273	(24)
Ethics and Policy	276	(6)
What Sort of Member Shall I Be?	282	(7)
Legislative Structures and Legislative Ethics	289	(8)
Concluding Reflections	297	(24)
Reform Agendas	300	(9)
Governance, Trust, and Citizenship	309	(12)
Index	321