The Dance of Legislation: An Insider's Account of the Workings of the United States Senate - Paperback

by Eric Redman (Author), Richard E. Neustadt (Foreword by)

The Dance of Legislation has long been considered a classic description of the legislative process. In it, Eric Redman draws on his two years as a member of Senator Warren Magnuson's staff to trace the drafting and passing of a piece of legislation -- S.4106, the National Health Service Bill -- with all the maneuvers, plots, counterplots, frustrations, triumphs, and sheer work and dedication involved. He provides a vivid picture of the bureaucratic infighting, political prerogatives, and Congressional courtesies necessary to make something happen on Capitol Hill. In a Postscript to the 2000 edition, Redman reflects on how that process has, and has not, changed in the thirty years since the book was first published.

Back Jacket

The Dance of Legislation is a classic description of the American legislative process. Eric Redman draws on his two years as a member of Senator Warren Magnuson's staff to trace the drafting and passing of the National Health Service Bill (s.4106) with all the maneuvers, plots, counterplots, frustrations, triumphs, work, and dedication involved. He draws a vivid picture of the bureaucratic infighting, political prerogatives, and Congressional courtesies necessary to make something happen on Capitol Hill. In a new Postscript, he reflects on how that process has, and has not, changed in the thirty years since the book was first published.

Author Biography

Eric Redman was a logger, longshoreman, Rhodes Scholar, and writing teacher, as well as a legislative aide. Today he is a Seattle attorney specializing in public policy and energy law. Richard E. Neustadt is Douglas Dillon Professor of Government emeritus, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.