Partisanship and Senate
Ira Shapiro, author of a book on the U.S. Senate, The Last Great Senate: Courage and Statesmanship in Times of Crisis, and other experts on the subject… read more
Ira Shapiro, author of a book on the U.S. Senate, The Last Great Senate: Courage and Statesmanship in Times of Crisis, and other experts on the subject talked about partisanship in the chamber and its future. Mr. Shapiro in his comments said a slow decline in the Senate began in the 80s and then hastened with the ascension to leadership of former Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and current Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY). He called Senator McConnell “the premier political strategist of our era....Unfortunately, he’s used that power and his political skills solely as a partisan.” Molly Reynolds in her presentation said that dysfunction in the Senate increased as control of the chamber in the 80s began to alter each election cycle between Democrats and Republicans, leading to less incentive for parties to work together. close
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Ira S. Shapiro Author
Books
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The Last Great Senate