ABSTRACT
Thomas P. “Tip” O'Neill's contribution—and that of his immediate successors—was to lead the House of Representatives as it adapted to severe internal and external shocks and to leave it a strong institution that can function legislatively even under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. To legislate successfully, especially when control is divided, the contemporary House needs an activist, engaged majority party leadership. O'Neill and his immediate successors developed and refined leadership strategies that made meeting their members' potentially conflicting and evolving expectations possible. In 1971 O'Neill was chosen whip by the newly elected leadership team of Speaker Carl Albert and Majority Leader Thomas Hale Boggs, both of whom had moved up a slot on the leadership ladder when John W. McCormack retired. O'Neill's contribution and that of his successors was to reshape majority party leadership into an instrument that made it possible for the reformed House to function legislatively, even in a period of severe legislative constraint.
