Contemporary Dynamics in Congress

This week, much of our reading focuses on the role of legislative branch staffers. You are asked to read Chapters 5-9 of the LaPira, et al book (Congress Overwhelmed: The Decline in

Congressional Capacity and Prospects for Reform.), and read two articles on Congressional staffers (links below).

For the DB this week, please comment on the role and importance of legislative staffers in policymaking:

1. How important are they, and in what ways?

2. Based on the readings, what are the key challenges for legislative staffers in the policymaking process? What ideas/solutions might you have to address some of these challenges?

3. Do you think that legislative staffers have too much, not enough, or the right level of influence over public policymaking? Please explain your answer.

Sources:

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/10/almost-famous-washington-staffers/439515/?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

LaPira, Timothy, Drutman, Lee & Kosar, Kevin (Eds. 2020). Congress Overwhelmed: The Decline in

Congressional Capacity and Prospects for Reform.