introduction chapter one constitutional and institutional framework ⅰ.the constitutional framework ⅱ.congress\'powers in practice ⅲ.the two party system ⅳ.executive base values ⅴ.congressional base values ⅵ.the central role of standing committees in american legislature ⅶ.the senate foreign relations committee ⅷ.the role of committee chairman ⅸ.factors affecting the influence of committee chairmen chapter two cushman kellogg davis (1897 - 1900) ⅰ.davis\'political career ⅱ.davis\'perceptions on foreign policy and his foreign policy experienc prior to his ascension to the chair of the senate foreign relations committee ⅲ.davis\'personal qualities ⅳ.davis\'relations with the republican party and the president ⅴ.cases analysis ⅵ.summary chapter three henry cabot lodge (1919 -1924) ⅰ.lodge\'s perception on foreign policy and his foreign policy experiences prior to 1919 ⅱ.lodge\'s perception on the role of the senate in foreign affairs ⅲ.lodge\'s personal qualities ⅳ.lodge\'s relations with the president ⅴ.lodge\'s relations with his own party ⅵ.cases analysis ⅶ.summary chapter four key pittman (1933 - 1940) ⅰ.domestic context during pittman\'s tenure as chairman of the senate foreign relations committee ⅱ.pittman\'s foreign policy experiences and perceptions ⅲ.pittman\'s perceptions on the role of the senate in foreign policy ⅳ.pittman\'s personal qualities ⅴ.pittman\'s relations with the executive branch ⅵ.pittman\'s ways of operation and his influence ⅶ.case analysis ⅷ.summary chapter five arthur h.vandenberg (1947 - 1948) ⅰ.vandenberg\'s reputation and foreign policy experience prior to 1947 ⅱ.vandenberg\'s personal qualities ⅲ.vandenberg\'s relations with the executive branch ⅳ.relations with his own party ⅴ.particular methods of operation and his influence ⅵ.analysis of selected foreign policy proposals ⅶ.summary chapter six j.william fulbright (1959 - 1975) ⅰ.fulbright\'s experience and public image prior to ascension to chairmanship ⅱ.fulbright\'s personal qualities ⅲ.fulbright\'s relations with the executive branch ⅳ.fulbright\'s relations with his own party ⅴ.fulbright\'s particular methods of operation and perception of his role ⅵ.cases analysis ⅶ.summary chapter seven jesse helms (1995 -2001) ⅰ.jesse helms as a hard right ⅱ.jesse helms as the "senator no" ⅲ.helms\'personal qualities ⅳ.helms\'relations with the executive branch ⅴ.helms\'relations with his own party ⅵ.relations with democratic senators ⅶ.helms\'perception on his role and his particular mode of operation ⅷ.cases analysis ⅸ.summary conclusion bibliography appendix 1 appendix 2