Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process (Congressional Procedures & the Policy Process) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Congressional rules and procedures are a complex mix of intricate features that can be used to expedite, slow down, or stop action on legislation..." (more)
Key Phrases: deeming resolution, nondebatable motion, recommit with instructions, Congressional Record, Rules Committee, Committee of the Whole (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA Students of American history and government will appreciate this comprehensive analysis of the way in which the U.S. Congress establishes policy for the nation. Some chapters will be especially good for high-school curriculum: ``Congress and Lawmaking,'' ``The Congressional Environment,'' and ``The Congressional Budget Process,'' among others. A few sections will be more used by teachers supporting their lectures: ``House Floor Procedure,'' and ``Legislative Oversight,'' as examples. An excellent chart demonstrates ``How a Bill Becomes a Law,'' and is only one of several such well-drawn demonstrations. The comprehensive index and glossary also add to the value of the book, which will be well used in many high-school libraries. Sherry Solomon, Episcopal High School, Bellaire, Tex.

Copyright 1989 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Thoroughly updated in a new edition, this is the definitive work on how congressional rules, procedures, and traditions affect the course and content of legislation. From committee room to the floor, in the House and in the Senate, the fundamentals of lawmaking are made clear. In a highly readable format—including dozens of lively examples, illustrations, charts, and extracts from real documents—the author explains the role of congressional leadership, illustrates the use of strategic tactics such as the Senate’s filibuster, and elucidates complicated parliamentary processes such as the amendment procedure.

Among the topics that receive new or expanded coverage in the fifth edition are: the shift from the politics of deficit to the politics of surplus, innovations in Senate floor procedures and the use of new rules in the House, new developments in the ways that the two chambers resolve their differences, and new trends in legislative oversight.

Oleszek’s concluding chapter examines broad trends in the lawmaking process as well as the transformations currently underway that will influence congressional lawmaking in the twenty-first century.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: CQ Press; 5th edition (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568024487
• ISBN-13: 978-1568024486
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #562,701 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent insider's guide to understanding Congress, June 12, 2002

By A Customer

I'm a chief of staff to a Member of the House of Representatives. I give a copy of this book to every new staffer who comes to work in our office, and tell them it's mandatory reading. Simply put: Mr. Oleszek's book is the single best reference out there for students and citizens wanting to learn about the ins and outs of how a bill becomes a law. What makes the book a must-read is not just the author's experise in understanding how Congress works, but also his ability to write extremely readable prose.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read . . ., January 30, 2009

By	Gene T. Fisher (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process (Paperback)

If you are new to the Hill, this book is a must desk-side companion. It is a practical guide that steers a Hill staffer through the rules, norms and processes of the Capitol complex. The House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate are institutions where knowledge of process is more highly regarded than understanding the issues under debate. Olezek underscores that fact. His book has been must reading for congressional staff for a generation, and it continues to be the first among equals today.

Anyone thinking of working on the Hill or studying U.S. legislative processes would do well to begin here.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book is great, January 4, 2007

By	William A. Estrada (Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process (Congressional Procedures & the Policy Process) (Paperback)

A great resource for everyone from new lobbyists to people interested in knowing more about how their government works.