American Congress

Steven S. Smith, Washington University, St LouisSteven S. Smith is a Professor of Political Science, the Kate M. Gregg Distinguished Professor of Social Science, and Director of the Murray Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy at Washington University, St Louis. He has chaired the Legislative Studies Section of the American Political Science Association and has served on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Political Science, The Journal of Politics, and Legislative Studies Quarterly.Jason M. Roberts, University of North Carolina, Chapel HillJason M. Roberts is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He co-edited the book Why Not Parties? Party Effects in the US Senate (2009). His articles have been published in the American Political Science Review, the American Journal of Political Science, and Legislative Studies Quarterly.Ryan J. Vander Wielen, Temple University, PhiladelphiaRyan J. Vander Wielen is an associate professor of Political Science at Temple University, Philadelphia. His articles have been published in the American Political Science Review, the American Journal of Political Science, and Legislative Studies Quarterly, Political Analysis, Legislative Studies Quarter, Public Choice, and Political Research Quarterly.

• PrefaceAcknowledgments1. The Troubled CongressStudying CongressA 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 ReadingDiscussion Questions2. Representation and Lawmaking in CongressModels of RepresentationModels of LawmakingRules for Representation and Lawmaking in the ConstitutionBeyond the Constitution: The Development of Parties and Committees Conclusion Key TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions3. Congressional Elections The Rules Governing Congressional ElectionsThe Constitution: Eligibility, Voting Rights, and Chamber SizeFederal Law: Apportionment and Campaign FinanceState Law: Redistricting and Primaries Election Practice ReformVariations in the Incumbency AdvantageBiased Campaign FundingNationalization of Congressional ElectionsMidterm ElectionsConclusion Key Terms Suggested ReadingDiscussion Questions4. Members, Goals, Resources, and StrategiesMembers’ GoalsMembers’ ResourcesInfluences on MembersChoosing Strategies Legislative Styles Conclusion Key TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions5. Parties and LeadersThe Nature of Congressional Parties.Factions Within Congressional Parties Party OrganizationsParty Leaders House Party Leaders Senate Party LeadersParty Leaders’ ResourcesTerm Limits for Party LeadersCongressional Leaders and Presidential SuccessionA New Party EraConclusion Key TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions6. The Committee SystemTypes of CommitteesThe Nature of Congressional Committees The Power of Modern CommitteesDeclining Committee Autonomy Committee Membership Committee LeadersConclusion Key Terms Suggested ReadingDiscussion Questions7. The Rules of the Legislative GameLegislative Rules in PerspectiveBeyond the Constitution: House and Senate Rules The Standard Legislative ProcessIntroduction of Legislation Referral to Committee Committee ActionCircumventing CommitteesFloor SchedulingFloor ConsiderationResolving Differences Between ChambersHouse and Senate Rules ComparedAuthorizing and AppropriatingEvolution of the Legislative ProcessConclusion Key Terms Suggested ReadingDiscussion Questions8. The Rules of the Game: The Budget ProcessOverview of the Federal BudgetCreating a Congressional Budget Process: 1974The Pliable Budget ProcessThe Multiple Legislative Personalities of Tax LegislationThe Multiple Legislative Personalities of Spending BillsThe Battle over EarmarksConclusion Key TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions9. The Floor and VotingVoting ProcedureAnalyzing VotesConclusion Key TermsDiscussion Questions Suggested Reading10. Congress and the PresidentThe President as a Legislative PlayerPresidents’ StrategiesPresidential ResourcesCongressional Resources and StrategiesIdeological OutlookThe Divided-Government DebateConclusion Key Terms Suggested ReadingDiscussion Questions Chapter 11. Congress and the CourtsCourts as UmpiresJudges as Policy MakersCongressional Resources and StrategiesConclusionKey TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions 12. Congress, Lobbyists, and Interest GroupsThe Expanding Community of Lobbyists and Interest GroupsDevelopments in Interest Group Strategies Inside LobbyingRegulating Lobbying Members’ Groups and Legislative Service OrganizationsThe Influence of Lobbyists and Interest GroupsConclusion Key Terms Suggested Reading Discussion Questions AppendixIndex