The Challenge of Legislation
Bipartisanship in a Partisan World
Published on 24. December 2007
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-8157-3654-7 (ISBN)
Description
In 1995, the budget standoff between Democrats and Republicans forced the federal government to shut down. Two years later, the parties joined forces to pass the first balanced budget in a generation. In The Challenge of Legislation, John Hilley, the Clinton administration's chief liaison to the Republican-controlled Congress, tells the inside story of this dramatic turnaround. Hilley weaves together a detailed narrative and vivid portraits of the key players -including then-Speaker Newt Gingrich, Senate Republican leader Trent Lott, and President Bill Clinton -in this comprehensive account of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
Equally at home with the complexities of the legislative process and the realities of political combat, he offers unique insight into the highly charged relationship between party leaders and their rank-and-file, the interplay between elected officials and their professional staff, the delicate art of partisan negotiations, and the role of uncertainty and surprise. The result is a compelling look at how public policy is made, rich in enduring lessons for both policymakers and students of legislative politics. Ten years ago, bipartisanship triumphed against daunting odds. The Challenge of Legislation shows how it happened and what it will take for bipartisanship to succeed again.
Equally at home with the complexities of the legislative process and the realities of political combat, he offers unique insight into the highly charged relationship between party leaders and their rank-and-file, the interplay between elected officials and their professional staff, the delicate art of partisan negotiations, and the role of uncertainty and surprise. The result is a compelling look at how public policy is made, rich in enduring lessons for both policymakers and students of legislative politics. Ten years ago, bipartisanship triumphed against daunting odds. The Challenge of Legislation shows how it happened and what it will take for bipartisanship to succeed again.
Reviews / Votes
" The Challenge of Legislation is the hopeful story of Republicans and Democrats working as partners to address our nation's problems. John Hilley chronicles a time when we set aside our differences to win results for the American people. He speaks not just as a witness, but as a participant in achieving this historic balanced budget agreement. His story should serve as a challenge for leaders in Congress and the White House." --Trent Lott, Senate Republican Whip "This book is an insider's recollection of the processes that led to the 1997 crafting of the nation's first balanced budget in decades... All of the characters appear in vivid color. Recommended." -- CHOICE " The Challenge of Legislation is brilliant and enthralling, the best account in decades of the dance of legislation on Capitol Hill. John Hilley, a seasoned and highly-regarded Senate aide who became Bill Clinton's top legislative strategist, uses a too-rare bipartisan moment to reveal in deft first-hand fashion both politics and policy as actually practiced by the White House and Congressional leaders. Hilley was there, he lived every moment of this page-turning tale, and he can write. He's produced a perfect book for citizens and students alike --an engrossing, informative, and uplifting story of Washington as it can be, of Washington at its best." --Eric Redman, author of The Dance of Legislation " The Challenge of Legislation opens the window on national policy as it is created. This remarkable story takes the reader on the roller coaster ride of legislation --the competing agendas, political calculations, uncertainties and surprises, acts of goodwill and trust, and finally the exhilaration of accomplishment." --Tom Daschle, former Senate Democratic LeaderMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
ISBN-13
978-0-8157-3654-7 (9780815736547)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
04/2008
1st Edition
Brookings Institution
€24.49
Available for download
Person
John L. Hilley worked in the White House as senior adviser and head of legislative affairs to President Bill Clinton from February 1996 to January 1998. In this role, he oversaw and participated in the negotiation of all major legislation. Before moving to the White House, Hilley served as chief counsel for Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, chief of staff for Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, and majority staff director for Senate Budget Committee Chairman Jim Sasser. In the private sector, he has served as executive vice president of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and as chairman and CEO of NASDAQ International. He received his Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University, New Jersey.