Overview
Veteran Hill observer Walter J. Oleszek discusses the organizational and political environment of the contemporary Congress and how its rules shape domestic and foreign policy. This book is the definitive work on congressional lawmaking today, providing a detailed look into the interplay of rules, procedures, precedents, and strategies, and focusing on the changes evolving from the 104th Congress.The definitive work on how rules, procedures and traditions affect the course and content of legislation.
Synopsis
Emphasizing those rules and processes he sees as most important to the policy-making process, Oleszek (senior specialist in American national government at the Congressional Research Service) describes the procedural context of congressional activity. After an introductory chapter on general issues of law making, he provides examinations of the congressional budget process, preliminary legislative action, the scheduling of legislation, floor procedure in the House and Senate, the resolution of House-Senate differences, and legislative oversight. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
School Library Journal
YA Students of American history and government will appreciate this comprehensive analysis of the way in which the U.S. Congress establishes policy for the nation. Some chapters will be especially good for high-school curriculum: ``Congress and Lawmaking,'' ``The Congressional Environment,'' and ``The Congressional Budget Process,'' among others. A few sections will be more used by teachers supporting their lectures: ``House Floor Procedure,'' and ``Legislative Oversight,'' as examples. An excellent chart demonstrates ``How a Bill Becomes a Law,'' and is only one of several such well-drawn demonstrations. The comprehensive index and glossary also add to the value of the book, which will be well used in many high-school libraries. Sherry Solomon, Episcopal High School, Bellaire, Tex.