The American Congress

by Steven S. Smith, Jason M. Roberts, Ryan J. Vander Wielen

The tenth edition of this respected textbook provides a fresh perspective and a crisp introduction to congressional politics. Informed by the authors’ Capitol Hill experience and scholarship, the new edition reflects changes in Congress resulting from the 2018 elections and such developments as (a) a new majority party in the House; (b) new campaign spending numbers and election outcomes, rules, committees, leaders, and budget developments; and (c) recent political science literature that provides new perspectives on the institution. The text emphasizes the recent developments and includes important learning aids, including lists of key term, discussion questions and suggested further reading. Alongside clear explanations of congressional rules and the lawmaking process there are examples from contemporary events and debates that highlight Congress as a group of politicians as well as a lawmaking body.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Government, History, School

416 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1990

About the author

Steven Stanley Smith is the Kate M. Gregg Distinguished Professor of Social Sciences, and Professor of Political Science, at Washington University in St. Louis, and Director of the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy.

Reviews

[R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best of the two textbooks required for the class 'POLS510 The U.S. Presidency, Congress, and the Bureaucracy.' This is one that I can see recommending to people who for some unknown reason would want to know more about this inner workings of the legislature and how it developed over the last couple hundred years into what it is today. This is a series of essays written by some of the major political scientists and so the work is hit and miss like most books of short stories. There may be one you love followed by the most god awful piece of drivel you'll ever have to force yourself to get through.

[Kyle Sherrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Textbook style review of Congress with plenty of supporting quantitative data. Well written with concise summaries at the end of each chapter.

[Iliya Liampert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic textbook. Will be going back to it many times in the future.

[Mattieu Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed it for a class

It was pretty informative. I definitely enjoyed it more than other books on the subject. Just a textbook pretty much.