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The U.S. Senate: Fundamentals of American Government
The second entry in the civics series clearly and concisely explains how the United States Senate works.
The U.S. Senate is the second book in the Fundamentals of American Government civics series, exploring the inner workings of this important part of the legislative branch. As with Selecting a President , this book is written for all audiences, but voiced toward high school seniors and college freshmen―or any citizen interested in a concise yet authoritative exploration of this representative entity. Written by former Senator Tom Daschle, and co-written by acclaimed journalist Charles Robbins, this compelling and digestible book carefully examines and explains exactly how the Senate operates. From its electoral process to voting procedure, historic beginnings to modern day issues―there is no area of this governmental body left un-revealed. Told with an insider's perspective there is not a more defining or easily accessible compendium detailing the U.S. Senate.
The U.S. Senate is the second book in the Fundamentals of American Government civics series, exploring the inner workings of this important part of the legislative branch. As with Selecting a President , this book is written for all audiences, but voiced toward high school seniors and college freshmen―or any citizen interested in a concise yet authoritative exploration of this representative entity. Written by former Senator Tom Daschle, and co-written by acclaimed journalist Charles Robbins, this compelling and digestible book carefully examines and explains exactly how the Senate operates. From its electoral process to voting procedure, historic beginnings to modern day issues―there is no area of this governmental body left un-revealed. Told with an insider's perspective there is not a more defining or easily accessible compendium detailing the U.S. Senate.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 22, 2013
7 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Tom Daschle
11 books6 followersThomas Andrew Daschle is a former U.S. Senator from South Dakota and Senate Majority Leader. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is currently a Special Policy Advisor at the law firm Alston & Bird, visiting professor at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute at Georgetown University, a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, and a Richard von Weizsäcker Distinguished Visitor at the American Academy in Berlin, Germany.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 3, 2014
A quick and easy read,but full of important information and stories to make it enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the senate procedures section in that it gave me insight as to how things differed from the house. I was happy to learn more about a democrats perspective, and many of his stories from his work with various leaderships. Also, his strategies to work across the aisle and his daily regime was insightful. However, often I felt that he included all the interesting stories of the Capitol that are told in the tours, thus stealing the thunder of the redcoats and interns and have no relation to his tenure. To be honest though, I would probably have done the same.
August 23, 2023
Simple book explaining the way the US Senate operates with many interesting stories based on the former majority leader’s years in the upper chamber. He speaks about how the senate changed since he was elected but in the last 20 years, it changed even more. It would be unrecognizable to those who served 50 years ago. Daschle claimed that Senate historian Ritchie described the Senate as a “bipartisan institution.” Interesting, in Latin the word “Congress” means “Coming together.”
Daschle speaks about the fundamentals of the senate in easy-to-understand basics, but he also expresses some inside views and historical stories along the way of sharing how the senate works. For example, he speaks about the tools the majority leader possesses: the right of recognizing members on the floor, control of the schedule, the “art of persuasion” and committee assignments. He speaks about the power of having a veto-proofed Senate and that Majority Leader Mike Mansfield enjoyed a 65-35 ration in the early 1960’s and used that muscle to move a progressive agenda that changes people’s lives to this day.
It is interesting that the author shares how the senate changed the rules over the years – expanding then streamlining committees, decreasing the votes needed to pass legislation (way back in March 1917 – from 66 to 60), how quorum is now assumed and isn’t realized on the floor unless a member objects, and power of the committee chairs. He gives rational behind some of these changes, such as how senators created committees so they would have office space in the early 1900’s when some of the senate buildings were not built; one committee never met. And the book reports the origin of the ‘blue slip’ going all the way back to President George Washington’s term; the two Georgia senators protested the selection of a qualified candidate to be the naval officer for the Port of Savannah citing “senatorial courtesy.” Not mentioned in the book, but it triggered Washington heading directly to the Senate only to be rejected and accepting the rejection of his able choice, setting off a history that continues today. Daschle then speaks about how they allowed a vote on their former colleague, John Ashcroft, when they had earlier filibustered it. He was confirmed by a margin of 58-42 because of that similar courtesy.
The institution also changed, as reported by Daschle. In 1913, people started to elect senators directly. In the 1970’s senate staffers doubled; six thousand staffers support our 100 staffers. Daniel Webster selected the first senate pages, a practice that continue through today while the House removed their page program due to a budget cut.
There were many funny observations by former Senators. For example, former Senate Majority Leader Taft said: “I come from a state legislature, where people made speeches to other people to persuade other people to persuade them that they ought to vote for or against a bill; but speeches in the Senate are apparently made to the people back home, or to the press gallery. I know they are not real speeches, because no other Senator stays to listen to them.”
The chapters on exclusion of women and the one on minorities were, like others, very short. I wish they were longer and more reflective rather than simply mention numbers. He mentions that Montana Republican was the first woman in Congress – in 1916. She lost her re-election then won election two years later and served until 1940. The first female senator was eighty-seven-year-old Rebecca Felton in 1922, appointed by Georgia Governor Thomas Hardwick to keep the seat warmed until he could run. His scheme didn’t work since a Democrat was elected. In 1932, the first woman won election to the Senate – Hattie Caraway from Arkansas; she served until 1945. The author also mentions that women staffers were not allowed on the senate floor until the early 1950’s.
Sadly, the Senate was without a single woman from 1973 for six years. Four women were elected in 1992, “the Year of the Woman.” Now half the staff are women (Only 25% of the senate are women today).
Some quick points:
o It was German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck that said laws are like sausages and that it is better to enjoy but not see them made.
o Historically, less than 4% of bills become laws.
o The word filibuster comes from the Dutch word for freebooter, or pirate.
o Segregationist Strom Thurmond holds the record of 24-hours and 18 minutes for his filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He finally ended it when doctors threatened to yank him from the floor over concern of kidney damage.
o Senator Patrick Leahy said, “There’s a difference between just being quiet and actually listening.”
o Daniel Webster, featured in John Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize book Profiles in Courage voted for the Compromise of 1850, playing to Southerns and slavery, including the fugitive act. He was treated like a traitor by abolitionists and soon resigned from the senate.
o He mentioned that it was the Wall Street Journal that broke the secret deal of Harding’s Interior Secretary, Albert Fall, that triggered the long scandal known as the Teapot Dome (Wyoming) scandal.
This quick read is perfect for those who wants to understand the basics and history of the senate. Daschle adds in a few of his own stories, but they are pretty basic. He doesn’t address the pressures and how one balances a family with the life of a senator or more interesting stories.
Daschle speaks about the fundamentals of the senate in easy-to-understand basics, but he also expresses some inside views and historical stories along the way of sharing how the senate works. For example, he speaks about the tools the majority leader possesses: the right of recognizing members on the floor, control of the schedule, the “art of persuasion” and committee assignments. He speaks about the power of having a veto-proofed Senate and that Majority Leader Mike Mansfield enjoyed a 65-35 ration in the early 1960’s and used that muscle to move a progressive agenda that changes people’s lives to this day.
It is interesting that the author shares how the senate changed the rules over the years – expanding then streamlining committees, decreasing the votes needed to pass legislation (way back in March 1917 – from 66 to 60), how quorum is now assumed and isn’t realized on the floor unless a member objects, and power of the committee chairs. He gives rational behind some of these changes, such as how senators created committees so they would have office space in the early 1900’s when some of the senate buildings were not built; one committee never met. And the book reports the origin of the ‘blue slip’ going all the way back to President George Washington’s term; the two Georgia senators protested the selection of a qualified candidate to be the naval officer for the Port of Savannah citing “senatorial courtesy.” Not mentioned in the book, but it triggered Washington heading directly to the Senate only to be rejected and accepting the rejection of his able choice, setting off a history that continues today. Daschle then speaks about how they allowed a vote on their former colleague, John Ashcroft, when they had earlier filibustered it. He was confirmed by a margin of 58-42 because of that similar courtesy.
The institution also changed, as reported by Daschle. In 1913, people started to elect senators directly. In the 1970’s senate staffers doubled; six thousand staffers support our 100 staffers. Daniel Webster selected the first senate pages, a practice that continue through today while the House removed their page program due to a budget cut.
There were many funny observations by former Senators. For example, former Senate Majority Leader Taft said: “I come from a state legislature, where people made speeches to other people to persuade other people to persuade them that they ought to vote for or against a bill; but speeches in the Senate are apparently made to the people back home, or to the press gallery. I know they are not real speeches, because no other Senator stays to listen to them.”
The chapters on exclusion of women and the one on minorities were, like others, very short. I wish they were longer and more reflective rather than simply mention numbers. He mentions that Montana Republican was the first woman in Congress – in 1916. She lost her re-election then won election two years later and served until 1940. The first female senator was eighty-seven-year-old Rebecca Felton in 1922, appointed by Georgia Governor Thomas Hardwick to keep the seat warmed until he could run. His scheme didn’t work since a Democrat was elected. In 1932, the first woman won election to the Senate – Hattie Caraway from Arkansas; she served until 1945. The author also mentions that women staffers were not allowed on the senate floor until the early 1950’s.
Sadly, the Senate was without a single woman from 1973 for six years. Four women were elected in 1992, “the Year of the Woman.” Now half the staff are women (Only 25% of the senate are women today).
Some quick points:
o It was German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck that said laws are like sausages and that it is better to enjoy but not see them made.
o Historically, less than 4% of bills become laws.
o The word filibuster comes from the Dutch word for freebooter, or pirate.
o Segregationist Strom Thurmond holds the record of 24-hours and 18 minutes for his filibuster against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. He finally ended it when doctors threatened to yank him from the floor over concern of kidney damage.
o Senator Patrick Leahy said, “There’s a difference between just being quiet and actually listening.”
o Daniel Webster, featured in John Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize book Profiles in Courage voted for the Compromise of 1850, playing to Southerns and slavery, including the fugitive act. He was treated like a traitor by abolitionists and soon resigned from the senate.
o He mentioned that it was the Wall Street Journal that broke the secret deal of Harding’s Interior Secretary, Albert Fall, that triggered the long scandal known as the Teapot Dome (Wyoming) scandal.
This quick read is perfect for those who wants to understand the basics and history of the senate. Daschle adds in a few of his own stories, but they are pretty basic. He doesn’t address the pressures and how one balances a family with the life of a senator or more interesting stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2013
This is an excellent book for anyone interested in learning more about the US Senate’s history and its role in the legislative process. You might think it a dry topic but it is very readable and quite entertaining as well, thanks to Tom Daschle’s stories and anecdotes. It should be required reading for actual U.S. Senators who might learn a thing or two about what they are supposed to be doing for the American public.
January 1, 2015
The senator writes a partisan book on the workings of the US Senate. In the first few chapters he portrays the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington idealized view of the Senate and its members. There is a explanation of different functions. It is an educational read if taken with a grain of salt.
April 19, 2013
This book has all the depth of a high school field trip to the Senate building, and it's written to about that same level.
August 14, 2013
Depending on what you're trying to learn, you may be better off reading the US Senate Wikipedia entry....
January 8, 2014
A good review of your high school government class. Unfortunately, the author--as a liberal Democrat--blames everything on the Republicans. Information is poorly presented.
May 13, 2021
Juvenile, but simple and clear if that’s what you’re looking for.
August 10, 2016
At least one piece of information in this book is incorrect. Daschle says there is "no way to tell" what was spoken live on the Senate/House floor and what were remarks that were later inserted. A small matter, perhaps, but remarks that are later inserted are set off by a different font in the text of the Congressional Record vs. live remarks. It's enough that someone reading through should notice the difference in font appearance. I can let this slide because as an actual member he probably never looked at the CR very much, if ever. Maybe he only looked at it once or twice, ever and let his staff do the research.
Unfortunately I couldn't help but skeptically eye the rest of the book because of this. Former Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota writes about how the Senate of the United States functions: from committees to vetos to votes to lobbyists, etc. The chapters are relatively short, from a page or two to maybe 10-15 at the most. His tone is readable, folksy and friendly. If you've never been on a tour or don't know much about how the Senate runs at all (even at the high school level), you might enjoy this book.
I'm certainly no expert, but I couldn't help but get pretty bored as the book went on. Soon it only became interesting for the anecdotes Daschle has to tell, and even then those are not exactly earth-shattering either. The partisan lens is also on pretty strong, so if are conservative/Republican/right you probably wouldn't enjoy this book at all. It's mostly of interest to people who are curious about Daschle himself. As a reference it might be a good refresher, but I would strongly recommend looking at other books and not rely on this book alone.
Luckily I got this as a bargain book. Definitely would have been mad if I bought it at full-price, even as an e-book. Mildly interesting, but nothing amazing.
Unfortunately I couldn't help but skeptically eye the rest of the book because of this. Former Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota writes about how the Senate of the United States functions: from committees to vetos to votes to lobbyists, etc. The chapters are relatively short, from a page or two to maybe 10-15 at the most. His tone is readable, folksy and friendly. If you've never been on a tour or don't know much about how the Senate runs at all (even at the high school level), you might enjoy this book.
I'm certainly no expert, but I couldn't help but get pretty bored as the book went on. Soon it only became interesting for the anecdotes Daschle has to tell, and even then those are not exactly earth-shattering either. The partisan lens is also on pretty strong, so if are conservative/Republican/right you probably wouldn't enjoy this book at all. It's mostly of interest to people who are curious about Daschle himself. As a reference it might be a good refresher, but I would strongly recommend looking at other books and not rely on this book alone.
Luckily I got this as a bargain book. Definitely would have been mad if I bought it at full-price, even as an e-book. Mildly interesting, but nothing amazing.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews