Prepare readers for the next presidential election with this engaging introduction to the Legislative Branch. Learn how the Legislative Branch enacts laws that impact your daily life through fact-filled sidebars, historical context, and examples from the present day.

The checks and balances provided by the three branches of federal government are essential to nurturing and maintaining American democracy. With the guidance of coeditors Paul J. Quirk and Sarah A. Binder, this collection of essays examines the role of the Legislature in American democracy and the dynamic between the other branches of government, and discusses possible measures for reform. The volume addresses questions such as: How does Congress serve the values of democracy and American constitutional principles? Which conceptions of those values does it implement, and which does it overlook or fail to realize? What are Congress's strengths and weaknesses in performing the tasks of democratic governance? What reforms, if any, are necessary to ensure the health and success of Congress as an institution of democracy in the future?

At first glance, Congress may appear to be the most intricate element of the U.S. government's system of checks and balances. It involves both the Senate and House of Representatives, both of which have completely different rules for formation, and can create crippling stalemates in the passage of bills and laws through the highest hands in government. Your readers will untangle the mysteries that shadow this branch, learning about the two houses of Congress individually, and exploring examples of their capabilities when working together, and in opposition.

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

Prepare readers for the next presidential election with this engaging introduction to the Legislative Branch. Learn how the Legislative Branch enacts laws that impact your daily life through fact-filled sidebars, historical context, and examples from the present day.

This book explores why some members of Congress are more effective than others at navigating the legislative process and what this means for how Congress is organized and what policies it produces. Craig Volden and Alan E. Wiseman develop a new metric of individual legislator effectiveness (the Legislative Effectiveness Score) that will be of interest to scholars, voters, and politicians alike. They use these scores to study party influence in Congress, the successes or failures of women and African Americans in Congress, policy gridlock, and the specific strategies that lawmakers employ to advance their agendas.

This comprehensive guide for young readers explains the concept of government by focusing on one particular and important aspect--lawmaking. Readers will explore what the legislative branch is and the role it plays within the state and federal government. They will also be introduced to some of the most important and interesting people who have worked in this branch of government, including both past and present members of the U.S. Congress. Full-color photos and diagrams help to illustrate what kind of decisions are made in Congress and how those decisions affect the everyday lives of Americans.

A Washington Post Notable Book An eye-opening account of how Congress today really works—and how it doesn’t— Act of Congress focuses on two of the major players behind the sweeping financial reform bill enacted in response to the Great Crash of 2008: colorful, wisecracking congressman Barney Frank, and careful, insightful senator Christopher Dodd, both of whom met regularly with Robert G. Kaiser during the eighteen months they worked on the bill. In this compelling narrative, Kaiser shows how staffers play a critical role, drafting the legislation and often making the crucial deals. Kaiser’s rare insider access enabled him to illuminate the often-hidden intricacies of legislative enterprise and shows us the workings of Congress in all of its complexity, a clearer picture than any we have had of how Congress works best—or sometimes doesn’t work at all.