House of Representatives of the United States
House of Representatives of the United States

Author: N. O. Sneider

Publisher: Nova Publishers

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 230

ISBN-13: 9781590330432

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There is no doubt that the House of Representatives exists and functions in the United States. The fact that few understand how it does exist and function is the subject of this new book. The chapters in this book detail the sometimes arcane procedures and processes of this grunt-type chamber. These are the folks who do the heavy lifting of lawmaking. The Senate may be considered august, especially to its own members, but it is the House which forms the backbone of American democracy at the federal level.

Congress and the People
Congress and the People

Author: Donald R. Wolfensberger

Publisher: Woodrow Wilson Center Press

Published: 2001-04-27

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 9780801867262

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Will some form of direct democracy supplant representative, deliberative government in the twenty-first century United States? That question is at the heart of Donald R. Wolfensberger's history of Congress and congressional reform, which runs back to the Constitution's creation of a popularly elected House of Representatives and forward to the surreal ending of the 105th Congress, featuring barrels of pork, resignation of the speaker, and impeachment of the president. The author's expertise comes from twenty-eight years as a staff member in the House, culminating in service as chief of staff of the powerful House Rules Committee. He was a top parliamentary expert and a principal Republican procedural strategist. Sensitive to the power of process, Wolfensberger is an authoritative guide to reform efforts of earlier eras. And as a participant in reforms since the 1960s, he offers a unique perspective on forging the "1970s sunshine coalition," televising House proceedings, debating term limits, and coping with democracy in an electronic age.