How Congress Works: And Why You Should Care

by Hamilton, Lee H.

• ISBN13: 9780253216953
• ISBN10: 0253216958
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-01
• Publisher: INGRAM

Summary

"Lee Hamilton's new book... should be required reading for any American contemplating writing a 'Letter to the Editor' or calling into (or hosting) a radio talk show, or for that matter, stepping into a voting booth. It is an owner's manual for citizens interested in their Congress." -- Charlie Cook, Editor and Publisher, The Cook Political Report"... a passionate and eloquent defense of the essential role Congress plays in the American constitutional system and a reasoned call for citizens to engage more actively in their representative democracy. Like Hamilton himself, this volume is scrupulously honest, fair-minded, and accessible to a wide audience." -- Thomas Mann, W. Averell Harriman Senior Fellow in American Governance, The Brookings Institution"Lee Hamilton's book not only describes the Madisonian vision of what Congress is supposed to be and assesses how it measures up to that vision today, it also serves the same function of educating and edifying the American public that the Federalist papers did.... Every student of Congress, and every American, can benefit from this book." -- Norman J. Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise InstituteHow Congress Works and Why You Should Care is a concise introduction to the functions and vital role of the U.S. Congress by eminent former Congressman Lee H. Hamilton. Drawing on 34 years as a U.S. Representative, Hamilton explains how Congress reflects the diversity of the American people, serves as a forum for finding consensus, and provides balance within the federal government. Addressing widespread public misperceptions, he outlines areas where Congress can work better and ways for citizens to become more engaged in public affairs through their representatives in Washington. How Congress Works and Why You Should Care is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the inner workings of Congress, and how all citizens can participate in its unique mission.

Author Biography

Lee H. Hamilton was U.S. Representative from Indiana's Ninth District from 1965 to 1999. He served as Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Joint Economic Committee, and the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress. He is now director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. and director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	vii
1 The Role of Congress
Why Congress Exists	2	(2)
Core Principle: Sovereignty of the People	4	(2)
Core Principle: Balancing Powers in Government	6	(3)
Congress and the President	9	(2)
Why Federalism Works	11	(2)
Key Power: Passing the Basic Laws of the Land	13	(3)
Key Power: Controlling the Purse	16	(2)
Key Power: Shaping Foreign Policy	18	(3)
Congress and Individual Liberties	21	(2)
The Roots of Our Success	23	(3)
2 The Impact of Congress	26	(16)
Congress and the Fabric of Our Lives	27	(2)
Government's Greatest Endeavors	29	(1)
An Ordinary Day	30	(3)
Congress Does More Work than Meets the Eye	33	(2)
A Balanced View of Congress	35	(2)
Members of Congress Who Had an Impact	37	(5)
3 How Congress Works	42	(33)
A Complex Institution	43	(2)
An Evolving Institution	45	(3)
The Many Roles of a Member of Congress	48	(4)
Representing Constituents	52	(3)
How a Bill Really Becomes Law	55	(4)
Why We Need More Politicians	59	(4)
Power in Congress	63	(2)
The House and the Senate	65	(3)
The Awesome Responsibility of Voting	68	(4)
The Frustrations and Rewards of Congress	72	(3)
4 Public Criticisms of Congress	75	(22)
"Legislators Are a Bunch of Crooks"	76	(2)
"There's Too Much Wasteful, Pork-Barrel Spending by Congress"	78	(2)
"Legislators Just Bicker and Never Get Anything Done"	80	(2)
"You Can't Trust What Members of Congress Say"	82	(3)
"Congress Almost Seems Designed to Promote Total Gridlock"	85	(1)
"Members of Congress Compromise Too Much"	86	(3)
"There's Too Much Money in Politics Today"	89	(1)
"Members Are Out of Touch with Their Constituents"	90	(3)
"Congress Is Run by Lobbyists and Special Interests"	93	(3)
Conclusion	96	(1)
5 Key Ways Congress Could Work Better	97	(27)
Declining Civility	98	(2)
The Importance of Good Process	100	(3)
Better White House/Congress Consultation	103	(3)
True Congressional Oversight	106	(2)
Improving Ethics Enforcement	108	(3)
Thinking about the Future	111	(3)
The Money Chase	114	(3)
Improving Public Understanding of Congress	117	(1)
Tackling the Tough Issues	118	(2)
Congress and the Common Good	120	(3)
Conclusion	123	(1)
6 Civic Participation	124	(25)
A Failure to Communicate	125	(3)
Being More Involved in the Work of Congress	128	(4)
The Cornerstones of Active Citizenship	132	(2)
Making Your Views Known to Congress	134	(4)
Individuals Who Have Made a Difference	138	(3)
Can the People Govern?	141	(3)
Strengthening Representative Democracy	144	(5)
APPENDIX: COMMUNICATING WITH CONGRESS	149	(2)
NOTES	151	(2)
INDEX	153