"'Are we going to now govern by anecdote?': Rhetorical constructions of welfare recipients in congressional hearings, debates, and legislation, 1992-1996"

• Published in: The Quarterly journal of speech Vol. 87; no. 4; pp. 341 - 365
• Main Author: Gring-Pemble, Lisa M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01-11-2001; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Clinton, Bill; Communication (Thought Transfer); Congressional hearings; Debates; Dependents; depiction; Discourse semiotics; Family (Sociological Unit); Federal legislation; Hearings; Incentives; Legislation; Linguistics; Michael Osborn; narrative; Opportunities; Policy Formation; Presidents; Public officials; Public Policy; Public Speaking; Rhetoric; Rhetoric and argumentation; Rhetorical Criticism; Walter Fisher; Welfare Recipients; Welfare reform; Welfare Services; Negotiation; Description; Narration; Discourse semiotics; Political discourse; Rhetoric; Discourse analysis; Reform
• ISSN: 0033-5630; 1479-5779
• DOI: 10.1080/00335630109384345

Through a rhetorical analysis of the welfare reform hearings and debates from the 102nd, 103rd, and 104th Congresses, all of which led to President Clinton's historical August 22, 1996 signing of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, P.L. 104-193, this essay contributes to our developing knowledge of deliberative hearings and debates as precursors to legislation. Relying on a narrative approach, this study challenges the liberatory and participatory functions of the narrative paradigm as conceived by Walter Fisher. The central argument developed in this essay is that some narrative forms facilitate elite discourse, discourage the inclusion of alternative public views, and delegitimize particular public voices.