Congressional Procedure: A Practical Guide to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress: The House of Representatives and Senate Explained

The book is thorough!!

This book makes working on the hill in the future seem a little less daunting. The author does a great job explaining complex concepts in a way thats palatable. I enjoyed it so much I purchased a second book for my colleague!

I taught Introduction To American Government for many years with mostly good results, for the students and for me. One exception: the section on Congress and, especially, “How a Bill Becomes a Law.” Richard Arenberg’s Congressional Procedure has changed that. For undergraduates it’s like exploring a newfound land. For instructors, it is a rich resource that can be focused on, sampled, adapted, and used to convey, in a meaningful way, the necessary complexity, problems, and logic of our national lawmaking.

I used to work in DC and on Capitol Hill and I don't think there is any comparable book. If I were a member of Congress, I would want all the legislative assistants on my staff to study this work. Written by two guys who are clearly experts in this field, one having been the Parliamentarian of the Senate! It is really quite amazing to have such easy to understand explanations of the rules and procedures of the two bodies on the Hill, but also to see the historical antecedents and background. There is no partisan pitch here - just a carefully laid out explanation of how our laws are made. Very well written, and an invaluable contribution to empowering anyone who wants to influence or even just understand Capitol Hill, whose powers are listed first in the US Constitution.

Richard Arenberg is both a scholar and a practioner. In his new book Congressional Procedure: A Practical Guide to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress, he accomplishes the difficult task of illuminating the complex world of Congressional rules, precedents and traditions, without cutting any corners. The book is both accurate and detailed while being a pleasure to read. If you want or need to understand what is happening on Capitol Hill, including how rules are being twisted and abused for partisan gain, this book is indispensable for you.

If you are interested in how Congress works this is precisely the book you need to use. It is easy to read and written by an acknowledged expert Intricately experienced in congressional procedure.

Comprehensively breaks down the complex Congressional rules in a way that is both enjoyable to read and can beeasy to understand.

To understand today's politics, Arenberg is a must read. I highly recommend it.