THE DECLINE OF DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY IN THE HOUSE AND PROPOSALS FOR REFORM

The ideal of congressional process is that the two houses should serve as forums for the free exchange of ideas and proposals, producing leg islation that reflects the will of the people and accomplishes importa nt goals. In the House of Representatives, this ideal is impeded by co mmittee structure, the powers of committee chairmen and party caucuses , and by restrictive rules that govern floor debate. The result has be en the exclusion of the minority party from meaningful participation i n congressional process and, consequently, the reduction of substantiv e debate on critical issues. In this Article, the authors trace earl.v attempts to reform House process to enhance its deliberative and demo cratic qualities. The Article analyzes the most recent reform efforts begun by the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress of the 10 3d Congress. The authors argue that the Joint Committee's recommendati ons fall short of the goals of revising House committee structure, cur bing the powers of the majority leadership and the House Rules Committ ee. and returning House process to the ideal of deliberative democracy .