Congress and Its Members has been the gold standard for Congress courses for thirty years. Now in its 20th edition, the book offers comprehensive and current coverage of the U.S. Congress and the legislative process by examining the tension between Congress as a lawmaking institution and as a collection of politicians constantly seeking re-election.

The 20th Edition covers the outcomes of the 2024 election and subsequent changes in congressional organization and leadership. Updated coverage looks at how Congress operates in today′s polarized context, including recent procedural changes, policy debates, and interbranch dynamics, as well as a breakdown of data on the members of the new Congress.
 
Always balancing great scholarship with currency, the book features lively case material along with relevant data, charts, maps, and photos.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Part I: In Search of the Two Congresses Chapter 1: The Two Congresses The Dual Nature of Congress The Two Congresses in Comparative Context Divergent Views of Congress Chapter 2: Evolution of the Modern Congress Antecedents of Congress Congress in the Constitution Institutional Evolution Evolution of the Legislator’s Job Conclusion Part II: A Congress of Ambassadors Chapter 3: Going For It: Recruitment and Candidacy Formal Rules of the Game Districting in the House Becoming a Candidate Nominating Politics Conclusion Chapter 4: Making It: The Electoral Game Campaign Strategies Campaign Resources Campaign Techniques Who Votes? How Voters Decide Election Outcomes Conclusion Chapter 5: Being There: Hill Styles and Home Styles Hill Styles Looking Homeward Office of the Member Inc Members and the Media Conclusion Part III: A Deliberative Assembly of One Nation Chapter 6: Leaders and Parties in Congress Leaders of the House Leaders of the Senate Selection of Leaders Leadership Activities Party Caucuses, Committees, and Informal Groups Party Continuity and Change Conclusion Chapter 7: Committees: Workshops of Congress The Purposes of Committees Evolution of the Committee System Types of Committees The Assignment Process Committee Leadership Policy Making in Committee Committee Staff Committee Reform and Change Conclusion Chapter 8: Congressional Rules and Procedures Introduction of Bills Scheduling in the House House Floor Procedures Scheduling in the Senate Senate Floor Procedures Resolving House–Senate Differences Conclusion Chapter 9: Decision Making in Congress The Power to Choose Types of Decisions Determinants of Voting Legislative Bargaining Conclusion Part IV: Policy Making and Change in The Two Congresses Chapter 10: Congress and the President Constitutional Powers Leadership Sources of Legislative–Executive Conflict and Cooperation The Balance of Power Conclusion Chapter 11: Congress and the Bureaucracy Congress Organizes the Executive Branch Congressional Control of the Bureaucracy Conclusion Chapter 12: Congress and the Courts The Federal Courts The Supreme Court as Policy Maker Advice and Consent for Judicial Nominees Conclusion Chapter 13: Congress and Organized Interests American Pluralism Pressure Group Methods Groups and the Electoral Connection Groups, Lobbying, and Legislative Politics Regulation of Lobbying Conclusion Chapter 14: Congress, Budgets, and Domestic Policy Making Policy-Making Processes Types of Domestic Policies Characteristics of Congressional Policy Making Congressional Budgeting The 1974 Budget Act Conclusion Chapter 15: Congress and National Security Policies Constitutional Powers Who Speaks for Congress? The National Interest: Types of National-Security Policies Structural Policies Strategic Policies Crisis Policies: The War Powers Conclusion Part V: Conclusion Chapter 16: The Two Congresses and the American People Congress as the “Broken Branch” Congress’s Vital Role Twenty-First-Century Challenges Conclusion Appendix A: Party Control: Presidency, Senate, House, 1901–2023 Appendix B: Internships: Getting Experience on Capitol Hill Notes Index