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Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide.

Print Price: $13.50

Format:
Paperback
152 pp.
4.375" x 6.875"

ISBN-13:
9780190280147

Publication date:
July 2016

Imprint: OUP US


The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

Donald A. Ritchie

Series : Very Short Introductions

In the second edition of The U.S. Congress, Donald A. Ritchie, a congressional historian for more than thirty years, takes readers on a fascinating, behind-the-scenes tour of Capitol Hill, pointing out the key players, explaining their behavior, and translating parliamentary language into plain English. No mere civics lesson, this eye-opening book provides an insider's perspective on Congress, matched with a professional historian's analytical insight. After a swift survey of the creation of Congress by the constitutional convention, he begins to unscrew the nuts and pull out the bolts. What is it like to campaign for Congress? To attract large donors? To enter either house with no seniority? He answers these questions and more, explaining committee assignments and committee work, the role of staffers and lobbyists, floor proceedings, parliamentary rules, and coalition building.

Ritchie explores the great effort put into constituent service - as representatives and senators respond to requests from groups and individuals - as well as media relations and news coverage. He also explores how the grand concepts we all know from civics class - checks and balances, advise and consent, congressional oversight - work in practice in an age of strong presidents and a muscular Senate minority.

Readership : Historians, journalists, political scientists, civics teachers and students, general readers interested in government.

Preface
1. The great compromise
2. Campaigns and constituents
3. In committee
4. On the floor
5. Checks and balances
6. The Capitol complex
Further reading
Index

There are no Instructor/Student Resources available at this time.

Donald A. Ritchie is Historian Emeritus of the U.S. Senate. He worked for the Senate Historical Office for thirty years, where he conducted an oral history program and did historical editing, such as the previously closed hearings of Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy. A former president of the Oral History Association, he has also been a member of the councils of the American Historical Association and the International Oral History Association. His other books include Our Constitution, The Oxford Guide to the United States Government, Press Gallery: Congress and the Washington Correspondents, Reporting from Washington: The History of the Washington Press Corps, and Electing FDR: The New Deal Campaign of 1932.

Special Features

  • Written by one the leading authorities on the U.S. Congress.
  • Approaches the subject in an informed and accessible manner, critical but not cynical.
  • Uses both political science and history to examine the legislative behavior, parliamentary language, and evolution of practice in Congress.
  • Provides a concise tour of a vital institution in the American political and legislative process.
New to this Edition
  • References to the recent leadership in both bodies, specifically Speaker John Boehner, House majority leaders Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are already quoted).
  • The spate of congressional investigations against the Obama administration; the House censure of the attorney general; and congressional protests over the president's use of executive orders.
  • More information on the ever-growing numbers of women and minority members in both houses.
  • Definitions for the latest legislative terminology, from "regular order" to "cromnibus".
  • Expanded section on Notable Films on Congress.