Congress, Lobbyists and Back Room Deals

Back room dealing has always been a part of the political landscape. But a Boston Globe investigation finds that under the Republican-controlled Congress, longstanding rules and practices have been tossed aside and committees are meeting more often in secret.

The very powerful House Rules Committee draws particular ire from the Democrats in the series. They claim the Committee, meant to tweak language, often rewrites key sections of legislation and then forbids debate on those changes.

The series notes that Democrats used similar practices when in the majority, but says the Republicans have taken it to a new level, hiding the process from public view.

Listen for a look at how the GOP-dominated Congress does business in 2004 and at allegations of the death of debate, due process and public oversight.

Guests:

Gail Chaddock, covers Congress for The Christian Science Monitor

Susan Milligan and Christopher Rowland, Boston Globe staff writers and co-authors of a three-part investigative series examining Congess and how it creates and debates legislation

Representative James McGovern, (D-MA), one of four democratic members of the House Rules Committee

Congressman David Dreier, (R-CA), chairman of the House Rules Committee

Michael Franc, vice president of government relations at The Heritage Foundation