When the Senate Worked for Us

The Invisible Role of Staffers in Countering Corporate Lobbies

De: Michael Pertschuk

Narrado por: John Burlinson

Every politically sentient American knows that Congress has been dominated by special interests, and many people do not remember a time when Congress legislated in the public interest. In the 1960's and 70's, however, lobbyists were aggressive but were countered by progressive senators and representatives, as several books have documented.

What has remained untold is the major behind-the-scenes contribution of entrepreneurial Congressional staff, who planted the seeds of public interest bills in their bosses' minds and maneuvered to counteract the influence of lobbyists to pass laws in consumer protection, public health, and other policy arenas crying out for effective government regulation. They infuriated Nixon's advisor, John Ehrlichman, who called them "bumblebees", a name they wore as a badge of honor.

For his insider account, Pertschuk draws on many interviews, as well as his 15 years serving on the staff of the Senate Commerce Committee that Senator Warren Magnuson chaired and as the committee's Democratic Staff Director. That committee became, in Ralph Nader's words, "the Grand Central Station for consumer protection advocates".

The book is published by Vanderbilt University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

©2017 Vanderbilt University Press (P)2020 Redwood Audiobooks

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A lively and thought-provoking book about our democracy from an insider's perspective." (James A. Thurber, American University)

"A wonderful read." (Robert B. Reich, former US Secretary of Labor)

"This may be the most important political book written about our current political dysfunction because it lays bare a hidden truth." (Matt Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)

Nader recommend

Heard about this on the Ralph Nader podcast. A bit dry and in the weeds, but a nice look into the way staffers used to be a critical part of the law making process. Unfortunately, we have definitely regressed in this way and now corporations and lobbyists are doing what staffers once did.