This book examines the consequences of legislators' strategic communication for representation, demonstrating how legislators present their work to cultivate constituent support. Using new statistical techniques to analyze massive data sets, Justin Grimmer makes the compelling case that to understand political representation, we must understand what legislators say to constituents.

"Lipinski's impressive analysis of members' communications with constituents yields major insights about partisanship, effects on reelection prospects, and constituent evaluations." --Bruce Oppenheimer, Vanderbilt University "The communication between representatives and their constituents is where election strategy and policy explanations are merged and, until now, we have had only anecdotal evidence. Lipinski's book sheds light on this important part of American political life." --David Brady, Stanford University Congressional Communication challenges the notion that legislators "run against Congress" by routinely denigrating the institution. Using a unique, systematic analysis of the communication from members of Congress to their constituents over a five-year period, Daniel Lipinski challenges this notion, demonstrating key partisan differences in representatives' portrayals of congressional activities. While members of the majority party tend to report that the institution-and, hence, their party-is performing well, members of the minority party are more likely to accuse Congress of doing a poor job. The findings in Congressional Communication offer the first strong empirical evidence from the electoral arena in support of controversial party government theories. Moving beyond previous studies that look only at legislators' messages, Lipinski's research also reveals the effects of these politically strategic claims on voters, whose interpretations don't necessarily bear out the legislators' intended effects. Daniel Lipinski is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Tennessee.

Gender matters in communication, media portrayals, and citizens' attitudes toward senators

"I think Congress and Its Members is a near-perfect example of what a textbook is supposed to be. It provides a clear foundation of factual knowledge for students, along with an accessible summary of the current state of scholarly knowledge in the field, and well-chosen examples from today’s headlines to better enable students to understand the implications of what they have read." —James B. Cottrill, St. Cloud State University The Gold Standard for Congress Courses for Over Thirty Years Congress and Its Members offers comprehensive 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 highly anticipated Seventeenth Edition considers the 2018 elections and the Trump administration, discussing the agenda of the new Congress, White House–Capitol Hill relations, party and committee leadership changes, judicial appointments, and partisan polarization, in addition to covering changes to budgeting, campaign finance, lobbying, public attitudes about Congress, reapportionment, rules, and procedures. Always balancing great scholarship with currency, this bestseller features lively case material along with relevant data, charts, exhibits, maps, and photos. Instructors! Sign in at study.sagepub.com/davidson17e for additional teaching resources.

A powerful defense of original jurisprudence.

Simona Bevern addresses the questions what and why political parties communicate in the time between elections, focusing on the dynamic rise and fall of policy issues. Despite the central role of political parties and the alleged importance of communication, only few scholars have taken a closer look at the content and dynamics of parties’ communication in routine times of politics. In this study, interactions between parties’ communication, their party competitors, the legislative agenda and public opinion are studied in Germany for the years 2004–2009, making use of a novel data set and quantitative methods.

Institutional Change, Discretion, and the Making of Modern Congress challenges the widely accepted assumption that legislators, if not all politicians, are driven by the desire to be reelected. Through a series of creative arguments drawing on rational choice theory and microeconomics, political scientist Glenn R. Parker offers a controversial alternative to the reelection assumption: he posits that legislators seek to maximize their own discretion--the freedom to do what they want to do. Parker uses this premise to account for the behavior of legislatures, the organization of Congress, the emergence of policy outcomes that reveal legislator altruism as well as parochialism, and the evolution of Congress as a political institution. Legislators behave like monopolists, argues Parker, creating barriers to entry that prevent competitive challenges to their reelection and ultimately increasing their discretion. Parker uses this premise to explain basic historical patterns in the evolution of Congress, from the lengthening of congressional terms of service to the unusual expansion in the number of committee assignments held by members of Congress.

Written by more than 60 contributors who depict the remarkable transformation of the public management profession by computers, this book presents the historical, institutional, legal, organizational, functional, policy, and theoretical background that constitutes IT literacy for public service. The book describes the application of IT to training, budgeting, and policy simulation at the federal level, and to community planning, community telecommunications, and welfare at the state level. Providing a broad and timely overview of IT as it applies to the public sector the book collects critical knowledge and delivers insight into contemporary uses of IT in the public sphere.

## Cozy Connections Strengthen Family Bonds in a Tiny Home Oasis Welcome to the world of tiny house family living! "Cozy Connections" is your comprehensive guide to thriving in close quarters while fostering strong, supportive relationships and creating lasting memories. This eBook is perfect for families looking to downsize, simplify, and connect more deeply with one another. ### Discover the Tiny House Movement Start your journey by understanding the philosophy behind the tiny house movement and uncover the numerous benefits of living in a compact, efficient space. Learn the initial steps to seamlessly transition your family into this fulfilling lifestyle. ### Master Functional Shared Spaces Maximize every square inch of your home with practical space-saving techniques, multipurpose furniture, and organizational strategies. Create shared living areas that maintain personal privacy and functionality for all family members. ### Enhance Communication in Close Quarters Navigate the unique communication challenges that come with tiny house living. Develop effective dialogue skills, master conflict resolution, and set communication norms to ensure a harmonious household. ### Establish Meaningful Routines and Rituals Build a strong family foundation with daily routines, cherished traditions, and celebrations of milestones. Create a sense of normalcy and stability that supports emotional well-being. ### Nurture Emotional Connections Foster deeper emotional bonds within your family by developing emotional intelligence, expressing gratitude, and providing unwavering support for each other's needs. Build trust and create a safe, loving environment. ### Create a Cozy, Inviting Atmosphere Transform your tiny house into a warm, inviting sanctuary using cozy textiles, natural light, and personalized touches. Maintain a welcoming ambiance that evolves with the seasons. ### Design Your Home Together Embark on a collaborative design journey that involves all family members. Customize spaces to reflect each person's needs and preferences, including thoughtful adaptations for children and pets. ### Share Responsibilities and Enjoy Quality Time Learn to divide household tasks efficiently while making chores engaging and fun. Plan enriching family activities, unplug from technology, and explore the great outdoors together. ### Support Personal Growth and Financial Independence Encourage hobbies and personal interests within the tiny house, and strike a balance between togetherness and individuality. Manage finances as a family, upgrade your home on a budget, and teach children financial responsibility. ### Embrace Sustainability and Community Involvement Adopt eco-friendly practices, engage with the tiny house community, and support local initiatives together. Seize volunteer opportunities that strengthen bonds with both family and community. ### Overcome Challenges and Reflect on Your Journey Prepare for unexpected hurdles, manage stress, and adapt to seasonal changes. Reflect on your unique tiny house journey, celebrate your growth, and set future goals to embrace this enriching lifestyle fully. "Cozy Connections" is your ultimate resource for transforming a tiny house into a thriving, loving home. Dive in and rediscover the joy of close-knit family living today!