{"product_id":"the-american-congress-9781538125830","title":"The American Congress","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe tenth edition of this respected textbook provides a fresh perspective and a crisp introduction to congressional politics. Informed by the authors’ Capitol Hill experience and scholarship, the new edition reflects changes in Congress resulting from the 2018 elections and such developments as (a) a new majority party in the House; (b) new campaign spending numbers and election outcomes, rules, committees, leaders, and budget developments; and (c) recent political science literature that provides new perspectives on the institution. The text emphasizes the recent developments and includes important learning aids, including lists of key term, discussion questions and suggested further reading. Alongside clear explanations of congressional rules and the lawmaking process there are examples from contemporary events and debates that highlight Congress as a group of politicians as well as a lawmaking body.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePreface 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","brand":"Rowman \u0026 Littlefield","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51041146175831,"sku":"9781538125830","price":52.2,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781538125830.jpg?v=1750949116","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-american-congress-9781538125830","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}