The American Congress

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Edward V. Schneier, Bertram Gross

Legislative Strategy is a "how-to" book on the creation of public policy through legislative action. Written for scholars, policy makers, and activists, the book focuses on the kinds of strategic and tactical choices that policy advocates face in their attempts to influence Congress and the process of legislation. Legislative Strategy is distinctive in its discussion of the overall political environment in which public policy is crafted, as well as its analysis of how change and manipulation of rules is part of the process by which policy advocates are able to pass legislation. The authors include an extended treatment of subjects such as the flow of "legislative intelligence"; the strategic timing of bills; and the means by which Senate and House members use filibusters, delays, amendments, and protocol to manipulate legislative outcomes.

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Edward V. Schneier, Bertram Gross

Congress Today examines the legislative process and legislative outputs from three interrelated perspectives: the social and political setting of Congress; the structure and rules of Congress as an organization; and the interests, motives, and strategies of policy advocates. Using a wide range of historical and contemporary examples of policy-making, the authors provide an in-depth examination of Congress and the politics of making national legislation. Rich in detail on the intrigues and manipulations that take place behind the scenes, the book examines legislative behavior in the larger context of how power is distributed in the United States.

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Barbara Boxer

Barbara Boxer has made her mark, combining compassionate advocacy with scrappiness in a political career spanning more than three decades. Now, retiring from the Senate, she continues the work to which she's dedicated 30 years in Congress. Her memoir shares her provocative and touching recollections of service, and cements her commitment to the fight for women, families, quality, environmental protection, all in a peaceful world.

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Stephen D. Van Beek

"Megabills" that package scores of legislative proposals into House and Senate bills are a phenomenon of the congressional reforms of the 1970s and the agenda changes of the 1980s. These bills generate unprecedented disagreements between the House and Senate, requiring congressional leaders, the president, committee chairs, and junior members to play new roles in this struggle for resolution. Van Beek uses a case-study approach that investigates the legislative histories of recent bills on the savings and loan bailout, the major trade bill of the late 1980s, and several budget reconciliation bills. His research is brought to life through personal experience as a legislative aide, direct observation of Congress at work, and interviews with members, staff, and lobbyists. Post-Passage Politics is a significant contribution to congressional studies. Readers will come to understand how important the resolution stage is for shaping behavior at the committee and floor stages in the House and Senate. The case studies and descriptions of the politics of bicameral resolution will interest students of Congress, the presidency, and public policy.