THE RISE AND FALL OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS

In: The journal of legislative studies, Band 2, Heft 2, S. 79-102

Abstract

THE ABOLITION OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS BY THE 104TH CONGRESS (1995-96) CONSTITUTED ONE OF ITS EARLIEST ACHIEVEMENTS. ALTHOUGH POLITICAL DISSENSUS HAD SURROUNDED THE ROLE AND ACTIVITIES OF LSOS THROUGHOUT THEIR INSTITUTIONAL EXISTENCE, THE REPUBLICAN VICTORY IN THE 1994 CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS WAS THE CRITICAL FACTOR PROMPTING THEIR ABOLITION. PRIOR REFORM ATTEMPTS HAD ALTERED UPON THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S POST-1954 DOMINANCE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE DIFFUSE REPRESENTATIONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BENEFITS WHICH LSOS CONFERRED UPON THEIR MEMBERS. HOWEVER, WHEN, UNDER A NEW REPUBLICAN MAJORITY, THE PERCEIVED COSTS OF LSOS WERE HELD TO EXCEED THEIR BENEFITS, THE ORGANIZATIONS WERE RAPIDLY TERMINATED. THE ABOLITION OF LSOS LENDS NEW AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO SCHOLARS WHO EMPHASIZE THE CONTINUED SALIENCE OF PARTY TO CONGRESSIONAL POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES.