Congress does most of its work in committee, and no understanding of
that body can be complete without an analysis of its committees and
those who shape them. Andree Reeves now offers a rare glimpse into the
workings of committee chairmanship over a span of thirty-three years -
how three chairmen operated and how they influenced their committee and
its impact. As Reeves demonstrates, the chair is the most important
player in a congressional committee - the one who holds more cards than
his colleagues and can deal a winning hand or call a bluff. His use of
institutional and personal resources affects the committee, the chamber,
and public policy. As a case study, Reeves compares the leadership of
three disparate and strong House Education and Labor Committee chairmen
who served from 1950 to 1984: Graham A. Barden (D-NC), Adam Clayton
Powell (D-NY), and Carl D. Perkins (D-KY). She delves into each
chairman's background, orientation, and use of resources. Each had his
own brand of leadership, she finds, and a pronounced but different
impact on Education and Labor. The committee blocked "progressive"
legislation under Barden, facilitated Johnson's Great Society under
Powell, and fought tooth and nail to maintain its accomplishments under
Perkins. Reeves emphasizes also committee development, including the
effects of reforms, the relationship between committee composition and
policy output, and committee voting patterns. Rather than advancing
smoothly and incrementally, Education and Labor developed in stages that
coincided with each chairmanship. And over the years covered, it evolved
into a more complex, decentralized, and democratic organization. This is
an illuminating study of three menwho made a difference in our nation's
governance. They left a legacy for succeeding chairmen and indeed for
the House, and their chairmanships have had a lasting impact on our
society.
