Deals, but no debate, in Congress

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Deals, but no debate, in Congress

CLOSED, FOR BUSINESS
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/10/03/back_room_dealing_a_capitol_trend/
Back-room dealing a Capitol trend
GOP flexing its majority power
By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff | October 3, 2004


PART 1
Back-room dealing a Capitol trend http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/10/03/back_room_dealing_a_capitol_trend
(By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff)
With one party controlling the White House and Congress, the House leadership is changing the way laws are made in America, favoring secrecy and speed over open debate and negotiation.
The Globe's major findings http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/10/03/the_globes_major_findings
PART 2
Energy bill a special-interests triumph http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/10/04/energy_bill_a_special_interests_triumph
(By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff)
The energy bill has become a phonebook-sized symbol of modern Washington lawmaking, in which policy is driven by those who have money, power, and access to a relatively small group of decision-makers.
PART 3
Medicare bill a study in D.C. spoils http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/10/05/medicare_bill_a_study_in_dc_spoils_system
(By Christopher Rowland, Globe Staff)
The Washington spoils system went into overdrive as lawmakers sought to build support for the Medicare prescription drug benefit while taking care of their home states and special-interest groups.
GRAPHICS
Diminishing debate http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/10/03/diminishing_debate
Companies spend millions on lobbying, reap rewards http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/10/04/influencing_policy
Lobbying power http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/10/05/lobbying_power
CHARTS
Energy lobbying http://www.boston.com/news/specials/closed_for_business/chart_energy
Most popular lobbying firms for energy policy
Top 10 payments to outside lobbying firms on energy http://www.boston.com/news/specials/closed_for_business/chart_energy_top
Energy millionaires club http://www.boston.com/news/specials/closed_for_business/chart_energy_millionaires
Medicare lobbying
Most popular lobbying firms for Medicare http://www.boston.com/news/specials/closed_for_business/chart_medicare
Highest amounts paid to firms lobbying on Medicare in 2003 http://www.boston.com/news/specials/closed_for_business/chart_medicare_highest
Top 25 spending by health companies lobbying on Medicare http://www.boston.com/news/specials/closed_for_business/chart_medicare_spending
Top-spending lobbyists on the Medicare bill http://www.boston.com/news/specials/closed_for_business/chart_medicare_top