Landmark Debates in Congress: From the Declaration of Independence to the War in Iraq - Hardcover

Stathis, Stephen W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0872899764 ISBN 13: 9780872899766

Publisher: CQ Press, 2008

Synopsis

Expert presentation and analysis of more than 50 pivotal historical debates, from the Declaration of Independence to authorizing war with Iraq

 
"If taxation is a badge of freedom, let me assure my friend that the poor people of this country are covered all over with the insignia of freemen."―Rep. William Jennings Bryan, 1894 

A fascinating look at history in the making―and an eye-opening presentation of some remarkably colorful rhetoric―Landmark Debates in Congress is a one-volume resource to more than 50 pivotal congressional debates. From colonial independence and individual rights to slavery, territorial expansion, and presidential powers, debates include the Bill of Rights (1789), the Revenue Act of 1894 (the origin of the income tax), FDR′s court-packing plan (1937), Medicare and Medicaid (1965), Richard Nixon′s 1974 impeachment, and the Iraq War resolution (2002).

About this title

About the Author

For nearly four decades Stephen W. Stathis was a specialist in American history for the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress, where he held both research and managerial positions.  Besides Landmark Legislation, he is the author of Landmark Debates in Congress: From the Declaration of Independence to the War in Iraq; CRS at 100: The Congressional Research Service; Informing the Legislative Debate Since 1914, and a broad range of articles in peer-reviewed  journals, and encyclopedias as well as pieces for the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor Weekly, Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Deseret News, Washington Star-News, and American Heritage.

Reviews

Grade 9 Up—Organized chronologically, this remarkable resource begins with the debate over American independence and ends with the Iraq War Resolution of 2002. A one-page description preceding each chapter acquaints readers with the social, political, and economic influences that placed the topic before Congress. The collection showcases more than 50 debates that are historically significant or insightful, or masterful in their wording or execution, providing a panoramic sense of the issues that have beset America over the years as our population swelled and our boundaries expanded. Some debates reflect bigoted ideologies, but most suggest sincere efforts to legislate democratically. While a few speeches are worded formally, even stiffly, the majority consist of accessible, lively plain speech with colloquialisms and the occasional spark of interpersonal vitriol. These characteristics humanize the speakers and imbue the issues with freshness. This resource should find many applications in history classes and for some History Day projects. One especially valuable aspect of the book is that the opinions for both sides of an issue are presented, not just the side that won and influenced legislation. Small, token black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout.—Jennifer Prince, Fairview Public Library, NC
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This could be a useful tool for anyone trying to comprehend the processes by which Congress debates critical issues and makes even more critical decisions. Fifty-two congressional debates, beginning with those that resulted in the Declaration of Independence and ending with the ones that yielded the Iraq War Resolution, are presented so that the reader has overviews of the pivotal issues, sees substantive quotes from the memorable speeches (pro and con), and can appreciate the moods of the times. Other topics include reformation of the banking system (1832), income taxes (1894), establishment of the Federal Reserve System (1912–1913), and Medicare and Medicaid (1965). Selections were based not on the importance of the issues, necessarily, but whether “memorable congressional debate” accompanied their consideration. The speeches themselves are not reproduced in toto, but asterisks show the breaks. Neither are the speeches always fine examples of public discourse, but they demonstrate that “debate is a critical ingredient of our deliberative democracy” and reveal how difficult it has always been to reach consensus in U.S. political history. The selected bibliography sends interested readers to in-depth sources, and there is an index. Black-and-white illustrations and graphics enhance the entries. Recommended for any library that serves students and general readers interested in the history and process of political deliberation in the U.S. --Sally Jane

Edition details

• Publisher: CQ Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0872899764
• ISBN 13: 9780872899766
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 449