Government by Committee: Reconciling Differences Between House and Senate Versions of a Bill
Once a bill has passed both the House and Senate, it becomes necessary to reconcile the differences between the two versions of bills. There is no requirement to hold a conference; in fact that is one of the ways the party in power may be able to ki...
Government by Committee: Intense Competition: Campaign for the White House
The intense competition that surrounds the campaign for the White House intensifies as the general election nears. Robert Reich calls it "warfare without blood." It is difficult to predict what will make a presidential campaign successful. Despite t...
Living Constitution, The: Limitations on the Power of the People
The very basis of government as it is established in the United States suggests that people have the power to govern themselves. The Framers agreed that the majority should rule but that all voices should have a chance to be heard. In order to prote...
Balancing Act: In Economic Terms...
In 1998 revenues from taxes equaled expenditures and the United States had a balanced budget for the first time since 1969. Only a small portion of the federal budget is really discretionary. When the country is in a deficit rather than a surplus si...
The First Branch: Maintaining a Presence in Home District
In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities in the nation's capitol, Representatives need to maintain a presence in their home districts. Loretta Sanchez, California representative, talks about how she maintains a presence on both coasts.
The First Branch: House of Representatives--A Majority-Rule Chamber, The
The House of Representatives is a majority rule chamber. With a reasonably cohesive majority, the leadership can control the agenda and everything that happens. Many observers of the Washington scene rate the Speaker of the House second only in powe...