Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process

Oleszek's new edition of his definitive work focuses on the significant procedural changes on Capitol Hill that are shaping policymaking in this new era of unified government. With dozens of lively illustrations, charts, and documents, Oleszek examines the use of innovative procedural devices by both the majority and minority parties to achieve their political goals and offers a reassessment of the role of conference committees in reconciling bicameral differences. Updates to this new eighth edition include examinations of: new congressional earmark reforms; the disappearance of open rules in the House; the surge in use of suspension of the rules in the House; the 60-vote threshold for enactment of amendments and bills in the Senate; the increase in filling the amendment tree in the Senate; and the heightened use of old and new oversight mechanisms to check and balance executive actions and activities.