Networks of Champions Leadership, Access, and Advocacy in the U.S. House of Representatives
- List Price: $31.95
- Binding: Paperback
- Publisher: Univ of Michigan Pr
- Publish date: 08/01/1999
In Networks of Champions, Christine A. DeGregorio identifies who in the U.S. House of Representatives took the lead in shepherding six major bills through Congress and how these champions of legislation worked with outside advocacy groups. DeGregorio finds that the champions were not necessarily the prominent holders of important positions, but were characterized by having knowledge of the subject matter, experience in the House, a facility for bargaining and compromise, the right committee assignments, and a commitment to hard work. Further, in considering the role of advocacy groups, the author finds a reciprocal process in which advocacy groups use champions to express their views while champions use the resources of advocacy groups to gain influence in the House.