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Congress Explained
Representation and Lawmaking in the First Branch
Second Edition
- Casey Burgat - George Washington University
- Charles Hunt - Boise State University, USA
- SoRelle Gaynor - University of Virginia
Other Titles in:
Congress
Congress
September 2025 | 400 pages | CQ Press
A brief, accessible guide to the institution, Congress Explained: Representation and Lawmaking in the First Branch walks students through the inner workings of the modern Congress. Congressional experts Casey Burgat, Charles Hunt, and SoRelle Gaynor help students understand the branch by examining legislators’ responsibilities toward constituents, the ways their backgrounds and perspectives influence their work, and the incentives that drive lawmaking in today's hyperpolarized Congress. In this updated Second Edition, new features, case studies, and data-based figures focus on changes to the institution over time and the ways individuals operate the pulls and levers of the branch to achieve legislative goals.
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Introduction: Congress on the Brink
Chapter 2: Mastering the Basics: Organization, Rules, and Leaders of the House and Senate
Chapter 3: Representation: Making Connections at Home and in Washington
Chapter 4: Congressional Elections: The Pathway to Congress
Chapter 5: Parties in Congress: Power and Polarization
Chapter 6: The Congressional Committee System: Dividing the Workload
Chapter 7: Policymaking in the Gridlock Era
Chapter 8: The Congressional Budget Process: Follow the Money
Chapter 9: Congress and the President: The Two Ends of Pennsylvania Avenue
Chapter 10: Congress, the Courts, and the Bureaucracy: Non-Legislator Legislating
Chapter 11: Congress and External Influences: Interest Groups, Social Movements, and Media
Chapter 12: Conclusion: The Congress We Deserve
Glossary
Congress Explained by Burgat and Hunt is a concise yet thorough text, perfect for courses that include more in-depth consideration of the presidency or other related topics. My students found the text to be clear and engaging.
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
Review
I run a legislative simulation and this text is the academic anchor of my course. Its readable, with excellent detail, and has a breadth of coverage that provides a great foundation for any Congress class.
Tennessee State University
Review
