Ronald W. Lasch
Ronald W. Lasch started his 42-year House career as a Page in 1958. As manager of the Republican Cloakroom, he kept track of party positions and floor developments and became a trusted source of information for Members. In 1995, he was appointed as floor assistant to Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Featured Audio
Working with Members of Congress
Working with Members of Congress
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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Abstract & Transcript
From the Republican Cloakroom to the House Floor, Lasch played an essential role in the party’s day-to-day operations. In the cloakroom, he served as a resource on the House Rules, distributing information to Members on the voting schedule and the legislative process. As floor assistant, Lasch was involved in the daily battles waged between Democrats and Republicans in the 1980s and 1990s, and his recollections convey a firsthand account of the Republican Party’s 40 year struggle as the minority and its ascension to the majority in 1994. Throughout, Lasch provides insight into significant developments in the institutional history of the House, including the impact of new technology, changes in parliamentary procedure, and the dramatic transformation of the political culture of Washington, DC, during the final decades of the 20th century.
Biography
In 1968, Lasch became manager of the minority cloakroom, where he supervised the distribution of information to Republican Members. As a space for Member interaction, the cloakroom was ideally suited for Lasch to answer questions about party positions on pending legislation and other recent developments in the House.
He was named Minority Postmaster in 1976 and floor assistant in 1979. Lasch employed his considerable institutional knowledge to help Members accomplish their goals on the House Floor. Well-versed in the rules of the House as well as Republican legislative priorities, he possessed the ability to stand back and “view the floor” as a whole. This allowed him to identify potential obstacles to Republican initiatives and provide Members with updates on prospective legislation, the length of floor debates, and vote times.
Lasch’s role as a House Republican staffer steadily expanded over the course of his career, culminating in his work as floor assistant to Speaker Newt Gingrich in 1995. In each position, he demonstrated knowledge of the legislative process, parliamentary procedure, and House traditions. He was also adept at understanding the personal side of lawmaking, forging relationships with Members from both sides of the aisle. Ronald Lasch died on November 14, 2022.
Audio
Voting Procedures Before Electronic Voting
Voting Procedures Before Electronic Voting
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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"Regular Order Was the Day"
"Regular Order Was the Day"
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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The Rules of the House
The Rules of the House
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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Electronic Voting and the Whip Operation
Electronic Voting and the Whip Operation
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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The Steiger Amendment
The Steiger Amendment
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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A New Generation of Members
A New Generation of Members
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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Developing a Reputation in the House
Developing a Reputation in the House
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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Member Relationships and Job Security
Member Relationships and Job Security
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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Working with Members of Congress
Working with Members of Congress
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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Segregation in Washington, DC
Segregation in Washington, DC
Ronald W. Lasch, Republican Floor Assistant and Minority Postmaster
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