American Congress

The tenth edition of this core textbook provides a fresh perspective and a crisp introduction to congressional politics. Informed by the authors’ Capitol Hill experience and scholarship, the text emphasizes the importance of a strong legislature and offers discussion questions and further reading.

Steven S. Smith, Jason M. Roberts, Ryan J. Vander Wielen

Preface Acknowledgments 1. The Troubled Congress Studying Congress A Partisan, Centralized Congress Will Polarized Parties, Centralized Decision Making, and Procedural Warfare Last Forever? An Unpopular Congress Other Trends in Congressional Politics The Changing Congress Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions 2. Representation and Lawmaking in Congress Models of Representation Models of Lawmaking Rules for Representation and Lawmaking in the Constitution Beyond the Constitution: The Development of Parties and Committees Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions 3. Congressional Elections The Rules Governing Congressional Elections The Constitution: Eligibility, Voting Rights, and Chamber Size Federal Law: Apportionment and Campaign Finance State Law: Redistricting and Primaries Election Practice Reform Variations in the Incumbency Advantage Biased Campaign Funding Nationalization of Congressional Elections Midterm Elections Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions 4. Members, Goals, Resources, and Strategies Members' Goals Members' Resources Influences on Members Choosing Strategies Legislative Styles Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions 5. Parties and Leaders The Nature of Congressional Parties. Factions Within Congressional Parties Party Organizations Party Leaders House Party Leaders Senate Party Leaders Party Leaders' Resources Term Limits for Party Leaders Congressional Leaders and Presidential Succession A New Party Era Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions 6. The Committee System Types of Committees The Nature of Congressional Committees The Power of Modern Committees Declining Committee Autonomy Committee Membership Committee Leaders Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions 7. The Rules of the Legislative Game Legislative Rules in Perspective Beyond the Constitution: House and Senate Rules The Standard Legislative Process Introduction of Legislation Referral to Committee Committee Action Circumventing Committees Floor Scheduling Floor Consideration Resolving Differences Between Chambers House and Senate Rules Compared Authorizing and Appropriating Evolution of the Legislative Process Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions 8. The Rules of the Game: The Budget Process Overview of the Federal Budget Creating a Congressional Budget Process: 1974 The Pliable Budget Process The Multiple Legislative Personalities of Tax Legislation The Multiple Legislative Personalities of Spending Bills The Battle over Earmarks Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions 9. The Floor and Voting Voting Procedure Analyzing Votes Conclusion Key Terms Discussion Questions Suggested Reading 10. Congress and the President The President as a Legislative Player Presidents' Strategies Presidential Resources Congressional Resources and Strategies Ideological Outlook The Divided-Government Debate Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions Chapter 11. Congress and the Courts Courts as Umpires Judges as Policy Makers Congressional Resources and Strategies Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions 12. Congress, Lobbyists, and Interest Groups The Expanding Community of Lobbyists and Interest Groups Developments in Interest Group Strategies Inside Lobbying Regulating Lobbying Members' Groups and Legislative Service Organizations The Influence of Lobbyists and Interest Groups Conclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions Appendix Index