The American Legislative Process : Congress and the States

/8770C-5, 0-13-087703-4, Keefe, William J., Ogul, Morris S., The American Legislative Process: Congress and the States, 10/E//--> This book describes and analyzes the American legislative process using a wide variety of perspectives and sources to encompass legal, behavioral, normative, and historical dimensions. Its current content reflects evolving legislatures and the latest literature on the legislative process. Chapter topics include financing congressional elections, pork barrel politics in Congress, initiative and referendum, term limits, impeachment, redistricting and the courts, recruitment of legislative candidates, PACs, committee politics, committee floor relations, rules, legislative strategy, party caucuses, party voting, independent counsels, presidential leadership in Congress, congressional accountability, reapportionment, incumbency, congressional norms, house speakership, seniority, majority-minority districts, interest group influence, party impact on policy making, legislative-judicial relations, and legislative ethics. For anyone interested in the United States Congress, the legislative process, and American political institutions.

As the legislative decides which policy proposals will be deliberated and turned into law, it determines the scope and direction of all public programs. At the same time it remains a mirror image of the range and reality of American politics, to be viewed within the context of external forces such as political parties, chief executives, and courts. The American Legislative Process: Congress and the States is an exhaustive portrayal and analysis of the critical branch of American government at both the federal and state levels.

Revised in response to recent changes in the political scene, the tenth edition of this classic text is engaging, intriguing, and illuminating. Topics expanded upon or added include congressional rules changes and reorganization, the House speakership, and the leverage of special interest groups. Analysis in each chapter moves between federal and state entities and illustrates how legislative institutions and practices are shaped to reflect the interests and preferences of the legislators themselves.