Fight Club Politics How Partisanship is Poisoning the U.S. House of Representatives

by Eilperin, Juliet

• ISBN13: 9780742551190
• ISBN10: 0742551199
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-03-29
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

The function of the U.S. House of Representatives is to serve as the body of government closest to ordinary citizens, reflecting their needs and desires. Yet, over the past decade, the House's drift from its roots has given rise to Republicans' ability to capture control of the chamber from a 40-year Democratic rule. Factors including House rules that have curtailed dissent and more powerful party leaders perpetuate this national divide This book shows how average Americans have little say over what happens in the House, and what can be done about it.

Author Biography

Juliet Eilperin has been a Washington Post reporter since 1998

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction: Revolution and Redistricting	p. 1
Revamping the House of Representatives	p. 9
Tearing Washington's Social Fabric Apart	p. 29
Legislating without a Partnership	p. 47
House Centrists Disappear	p. 71
Reshaping America's Political Map	p. 89
The Road to Redistricting Reform	p. 115
How to Restore Civility to the House	p. 127
Afterword	p. 139
Key Congressional Players	p. 145
House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt's Remarks regarding the Impeachment of President Clinton	p. 151
Statement by House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill) regarding the House Chaplin	p. 153
Address by House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert: "Reflections on the Role of the Speaker in the Modern Day House of Representatives"	p. 159
Index	p. 165
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