The 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.

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 CongressWill Polarized Parties, Centralized Decision Making, and Procedural Warfare Last Forever?An Unpopular CongressOther Trends in Congressional PoliticsThe Changing CongressKey TermsSuggested 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 CommitteesConclusionKey TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions3. Congressional ElectionsThe Rules Governing Congressional ElectionsThe Constitution: Eligibility, Voting Rights, and Chamber SizeFederal Law: Apportionment and Campaign FinanceState Law: Redistricting and PrimariesElection Practice ReformVariations in the Incumbency AdvantageBiased Campaign FundingNationalization of Congressional ElectionsMidterm ElectionsConclusionKey TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions4. Members, Goals, Resources, and StrategiesMembers GoalsMembers ResourcesInfluences on MembersChoosing StrategiesLegislative StylesConclusionKey TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions5. Parties and LeadersThe Nature of Congressional Parties.Factions Within Congressional PartiesParty OrganizationsParty LeadersHouse Party LeadersSenate Party LeadersParty Leaders ResourcesTerm Limits for Party LeadersCongressional Leaders and Presidential SuccessionA New Party EraConclusionKey TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions6. The Committee SystemTypes of CommitteesThe Nature of Congressional CommitteesThe Power of Modern CommitteesDeclining Committee AutonomyCommittee MembershipCommittee LeadersConclusionKey TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions7. The Rules of the Legislative GameLegislative Rules in PerspectiveBeyond the Constitution: House and Senate RulesThe Standard Legislative ProcessIntroduction of LegislationReferral to CommitteeCommittee ActionCircumventing CommitteesFloor SchedulingFloor ConsiderationResolving Differences Between ChambersHouse and Senate Rules ComparedAuthorizing and AppropriatingEvolution of the Legislative ProcessConclusionKey TermsSuggested 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 EarmarksConclusionKey TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions9. The Floor and VotingVoting ProcedureAnalyzing VotesConclusionKey TermsDiscussion QuestionsSuggested Reading10. Congress and the PresidentThe President as a Legislative PlayerPresidents StrategiesPresidential ResourcesCongressional Resources and StrategiesIdeological OutlookThe Divided-Government DebateConclusionKey TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion QuestionsChapter 11. Congress and the CourtsCourts as UmpiresJudges as Policy MakersCongressional Resources and StrategiesConclusionKey TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion Questions12. Congress, Lobbyists, and Interest GroupsThe Expanding Community of Lobbyists and Interest GroupsDevelopments in Interest Group StrategiesInside LobbyingRegulating LobbyingMembers Groups and Legislative Service OrganizationsThe Influence of Lobbyists and Interest GroupsConclusionKey TermsSuggested ReadingDiscussion QuestionsAppendixIndex