Amount Quote by John Harwood
“Congressional staff members do have a considerable amount of responsibility. But in my experience, the loyalty of the vast majority of staffers to their bosses leads them to be honest brokers of information for the members they work for.”
About This Quote
Staffers prioritize their employer’s agenda, acting as reliable conduits of information rather than independent analysts.
In simple terms: Loyalty shapes information flow.
Key Takeaway
Staff serve as honest brokers.
Themes
loyalty
information ethics
political staff dynamics
bureaucratic responsibility
Mood
pragmatic
cautious
Type
observation
analysis
When to use this quote
- legislative research
- policy brief preparation
- media liaison
- constituent outreach
Key Concepts
information asymmetry
principal‑agent relationship
Practical Applications
- advising lawmakers
- crafting briefing memos
Questions to Reflect On
- How does staff loyalty affect policy outcomes?
- Can honest brokerage coexist with partisan pressure?
![“These are career non-partisan apolitical staffers with a combined 150 years of experience at the State Department gone, just like that right off the top [right after Secretary Rex Tillerson was sworn in].” quote by Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/227/rachel-maddow-1240_apolitical_these-are-career-non-partisan-apolitical_2374095.jpg)
