The Freshmen Reunion. When first we met Dutch Ruppersberger, Democratic Congressman from Maryland, and Max Burns, Republican from Georgia, they were enrolled in a prep school of sorts, for newly elected first-timers to Capitol Hill. Binders and notepads in tow, they told us of looking forward to learning the ropes, vying for committee assignments, and forging bipartisan cooperation.
Several months later, Burns and Ruppersberger know what it’s like to lead at war time. They know the intricacies of budgets…and the conundrum of cuts. They’ve grappled with Medicare, prescription drugs education spending, and plenty more. And that sheen of anticipation? Well, we’ll find out what happened to that, too. An insider’s look at Capitol Hill, and the 108th Congress.
Guests:
Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, Democrat of Maryland
Congressman Max Burns, Republican of Georgia
Gail Russell Chaddock | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
David Kin, professor of public policy at the Kennedy School of Government.