Providing a comprehensive examination of the origins, development, and status of committees and committee systems in both the House and Senate, this edition carries on the book′s tradition of comprehensive coverage, empirical richness, and theoretical relevance in its discussion of these essential and distinguishing features of our national legislature. While the second edition focused on the "post-reform" committee systems, addressed the shifts in the internal distribution of power, and hinted at the forces that had already begun to undermine the power of committees, this edition updates that analysis and looks at the reforms that evolvied under the Republicans. It offers complete coverage of the rules and structural changes to the House and Senate committee systems. It extends its discussion of committee power and influence in the context of the "Contract with America," Republican reforms, and the inter-party warfare on Capitol Hill.

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)

The book discusses the role of congressional committees in the legislative process

In this study, Mr. Goodwin deals with decision making in the American Congress. He maintains that competition among political organizations and government institutions plays an extremely important role, but that political parties, both parliamentary and national, are relatively weak participants in the struggles. Mr. Goodwin shows that bi-partisan, specialized standing committees, often acting as surrogates for the whole Congress, are a powerful force in Congress, and are on occasion powerful enough to stand as equals of the President. The author makes clear that any analysis of decision making must appreciate the strength of the committees, and their particular place in the democratic process. The Little Legislatures traces the development of the committee system in both the House and the Senate from the beginning of World War II through the Johnson Administration. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the organization, makeup, and assignment traditions of the standing committees, and presents innovative ideas for reform of the system.