Congress And Its Members eBook

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 anticipatedEighteenth Editionconsiders the 2020 elections, the final years of the Trump administration, and first 100 days of the Biden Administration while discussing the agenda of the new Congress, White HouseCapitol 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.  

New and updated material for the 18th edition includes:

• Analysis of the 2020 congressional elections, including increased nationalization, regional shifts, and member turnover
• Data on the diversity of the new Congress in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and professional background
• Explanation of recent Supreme Court rulings on partisan gerrymandering
• Overview of the post-2020 census reapportionment of House seats and prospects for partisan gerrymandering
• Effects of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic on congressional campaigns, election administration, congressional rules and procedures, lobbying, and federal budget politics.
• The post-2020 politics of organizing a 50-50 Senate and prospects of Senate filibuster reform
• Congresss return to earmarks and other adjustments to congressional rules and procedures
• The Biden administrations approach to trade and diplomacy and its effects on congressional politics
• Coverage of the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol and what it says about Congresss relationship with the public and its role in American democracy
• Updated data on public opinion of Congress and Congresss productivity as a lawmaking institution
• A new concluding chapter reflecting on Congresss institutional strengths and weaknesses
• Fresh examples and illustrations in every chapter relating concepts to recent events and contemporary members

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