Skip to Main Content | Colorblind Mode: On • Off

Chapter 9: Congress

Chapter Outline

Congressional Power Is Rooted in the Constitution

Congress Represents the American People

  • The House and Senate Offer Differences in Representation
  • Representation Can Be Sociological or Agency
  • The Electoral Connection Hinges on Incumbency
  • Direct Patronage Means Bringing Home the Bacon

The Organization of Congress Is Shaped by Party

  • Party Leadership in the House and the Senate Organizes Power
  • The Committee System Is the Core of Congress
  • The Staff System Is the Power behind the Power

Rules of Lawmaking Explain How a Bill Becomes a Law

  • The First Step Is Committee Deliberation
  • Debate Is Less Restricted in the Senate Than in the House
  • Conference Committees Reconcile House and Senate Versions of Legislation
  • The President's Veto Controls the Flow of Legislation

Several Factors Influence How Congress Decides

  • Constituents Matter
  • Interest Groups Shape Constituents and Congress
  • Party Leaders Rely on Party Discipline

Much Congressional Energy Goes to Tasks Other Than Lawmaking

  • Congress Oversees How Legislation Is Implemented
  • Special Senate Powers Include Advice and Consent
  • Impeachment Is the Power to Remove Top Officials
Print This Page

In This Chapter

Everyday politicsblog.com is an exciting and unique online forum where students and instructors can see how key ideas and themes from Norton’s American government texts help to explain today’s headlines and political trends.

Norton Ebooks

The ebook version We the People, Seventh Edition, offers the full content of the print version at half the price.

Norton Ebooks

The Norton Gradebook

Instructors and students now have an easy way to track online quiz scores with the Norton Gradebook.

Norton Gradebook


Mobilize.org is an all-partisan network dedicated to educating, empowering, and energizing young people to increase civic engagement and political participation.