cover image Club Fed: Power, Money, Sex, and Violence on Capitol Hill

Club Fed: Power, Money, Sex, and Violence on Capitol Hill

Bill Thomas. Scribner Book Company, $23 (320pp) ISBN 978-0-684-19635-0

Informed and depressing is this survey of Capitol Hill by a reporter who has covered Congress for National Public Radio and is a contributing editor to the Los Angeles Times. Thomas foreshadows his text with the introductory remark that ``Washington, which began as a swamp, has never lost touch with its roots.'' He then builds his argument that the chief interest of all members of Congress is not passing laws but getting reelected. The best way to insure long tenures for themselves is to procure money and/or projects for their states and districts. Newer members must kowtow to older, who in turn are adept at making their committee members kowtow to them. This all takes place in a crime-ridden capital where murder is not uncommon. Thomas suggests ways to improve this state of affairs but doubts that anything will be done, because Congress is ``a closed and protected society.'' Photos not seen by PW. Author tour. (Oct.)