STAFF UTILIZATION IN THE US CONGRESS - COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND SENIOR AIDES

The dominant view that Congress is weakening the links between its mem bers and their constituents by relying heavily on professional staffs is based on a very partial understanding of how members and staff work together. This study, based on parallel interviews with committee cha irs and committee staff directors, shows that members delegate selecti vely, control the extent of delegation in all but the most routine tas ks, and delegate mainly to staffers who have demonstrated loyalty to t he member over a relatively long period of working together. In sum, m embers' control over the legislative process is greater than many obse rvers suggest.