The schisms in the Judiciary Committee reflect a seismic shift that has taken place in Congress as a whole during the last quarter-century. We were good friends,'' says former House Speaker Jim Wright, who routinely invited the Republican leader, Bob Michel, to play with him in the Democrats' annual golf tournament. Such chumminess would be unthinkable today, when fewer members make Washington their home and many even campaign against it. Quite a few now arrive Tuesday and leave Thursday, with a schedule so jammed there's little time for socializing, especially across party lines. Few members break ranks to form a more bipartisan middle.
Statistics bear out the senator's observation.
And Judiciary Committee members toed their party lines even more often. The House Judiciary Committee is testament to the change. As the moderates departed, liberals and conservatives replaced them. They were attracted by the committee's growing focus on headline-grabbing social issues, including affirmative action. On most issues, even commercial ones, today's committee splits along party lines.