Chapter 12: Congress
Chapter Outline
Congress: Representing the American People
- House and Senate: Differences in Representation
- Sociological versus Agency Representation
- The Electoral Connection
- Direct Patronage
The Organization of Congress
- Party Leadership in the House
- Party Leadership in the Senate
- The Committee System
- The Staff System: Staffers and Agencies
- Informal Organization: The Caucuses
Rules of Lawmaking: How a Bill Becomes a Law
- Committee Deliberation
- Debate
- Conference Committee: Reconciling House and Senate Versions of Legislation
- Presidential Action
How Congress Decides
- Constituency
- Interest Groups
- Party Discipline
- Weighing Diverse Influences
Beyond Legislation: Other Congressional Powers
- Oversight
- Advice and Consent: Special Senate Powers
- Impeachment
Thinking Critically about Congress and Democracy
What You Can Do: Make Contact with Congress
Section Menu
Organize
Learn
Connect
- Interactive Politics Simulation
- You Decide Exercise
- Questions for Discussion and Thought
- What Government Does Exercise
- Get Involved Exercise
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