Under the Iron Dome
This book provides a glimpse into the professional lives of members of Congress and the staff, political consultants, and others who work beneath the Capitols iconic dome. It shows some of the historic challenges, daily trials and tribulations, and public and private triumphs and failures that define working life on the Hill. Original chapters by practitioners who have been there offer a fresh understanding of congressional elections, policy making, and party leadership, as well as landmark institutional developments, such as the growing influence of women and minorities in the legislative process. Each author brings a personal knowledge of Congress, providing unique insight into the opaque world of committee assignments, the hustle and bustle of floor activity, the cross-examination of committee testimony, and the beehive of activity in a members Washington or district office, or committees office. Collectively, they provide keen insights into the institutions, procedures, and politics that shape congressional policy making. Additionally, the historic two impeachments of then-President Donald J. Trump are examined to showcase some of the extraordinary politics taking place on Capitol Hill. Aimed at anyone working in Congress or wanting to influence public policy, this book is also an excellent classroom supplement for political science courses at every level and a compelling read for citizens who want to understand how Congress works and why it sometimes does not.
Paul S. Herrnson is Professor of Political Science at the University of Connecticut.
Colton C. Campbell is Professor and Associate Dean of Academics at the National War College.
David A. Dulio is Director of the Center for Civic Engagement and Professor of Political Science at Oakland University.
First published 2022
by Routledge
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2022 selection and editorial matter, Paul S. Herrnson, Colton C. Campbell, and David A. Dulio; individual chapters, the contributors
The right of Paul S. Herrnson, Colton C. Campbell, and David A. Dulio to be identified as the authors of the editorial material, and of the authors for their individual chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Dulio, David A., editor. | Herrnson, Paul S., 1958 editor. | Campbell, Colton C., 1965 editor.
Title: Under the iron dome : congress from the inside / edited by Paul S. Herrnson, Colton C. Campbell and David A. Dulio.
Description: New York, N.Y. : Routledge, [2022] |
Includes bibliographical references. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2021011305 (print) | LCCN 2021011306 (ebook) | ISBN 9780367625207 (hardback) | ISBN 9780367620271 (paperback) | ISBN 9781003109532 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: United States. CongressOfficials and employees. | Political planningUnited States. | United States. CongressPowers and duties. | United StatesPolitics and governmentHistory20th century.
Classification: LCC JK1083 .U43 2022 (print) | LCC JK1083 (ebook) | DDC 328.73dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021011305
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021011306
ISBN: 978-0-367-62520-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-62027-1 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-10953-2 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003109532
Typeset in Bembo
by Newgen Publishing UK
Alan I. Baron is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. He served as Special Impeachment Counsel to the House of Representatives for the impeachment and removal from office of United States District Judges Alcee Hastings, Walter Nixon, G. Thomas Porteous, and Samuel Kent.
Laura Blessing is a Senior Fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University and teaches in the McCourt School of Public Policy. Her research and teaching focus on Congress, parties, and policy, and the politics of tax and budget policy in particular. She worked on Capitol Hill as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow, where she served as the legislative assistant for tax policy for Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Roy E. Brownell II is former Deputy Chief of Staff and Counsel to Senator Mitch McConnell. Prior to that, he served as Senior Advisor for Senate Affairs at the Department of State. He is co-author (along with Senator McConnell) of The U.S. Senate and the Commonwealth and co-editor of Magna Carta and the Rule of Law. He writes and lectures about Congress and the separation of powers and has contributed to several books and scholarly publications on the presidency, the vice presidency, and presidential succession.
Colton C. Campbell is Professor and Associate Dean of Academics at the National War College. He has worked in the offices of Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Bob Graham (D-FL), and Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA). Prior to joining the National War College, he was an analyst in American national government at the Congressional Research Service and Associate Professor of Political Science at Florida International University. He has authored or edited several books on Congress, most recently Leadership in the U.S. Senate: Herding Cats in the Modern Era (Routledge, 2018).
Don DeArmon spent 28 years working on the House side of the Capitol, including in positions with Representatives David Price (D-NC), Vic Fazio (D-CA), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), specializing in work with the Appropriations Committee. He was the 2000 and 2002 Democratic nominee for election to Marylands Sixth Congressional District, and he holds a bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
