Congressional Deskbook (Softcover)
The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Congress
Fifth Edition

By Michael L. Koempel and Judy Schneider
Contributing Authors: Eugene Boyd, Peggy Garvin, Bill Heniff Jr., Henry Hogue, and Robert Keith

The Congressional Deskbook is the comprehensive guide to Congress, now in its Fifth Edition. This 15 chapter publication explains the legislative and congressional budget processes along with all aspects of Congress.

The Training Edition of Congressional Deskbook is included as part of the program materials in our public and custom Capitol Hill Workshop. TheCapitol.Net has delivered custom, on-site training for numerous clients. For more information about bringing training to your organization, contact us for details: 703-739-3790, ext. 112.

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2007, 716 pages Softcover, $47 ISBN 10: 1587330970 ISBN 13: 978-1-58733-097-1 ISSN: 1531-0116 OCLC: 60514840 Dimensions: 8.2 x 10.85 x 1.5 Weight: 3.5 pounds Available from your bookseller or online

Formats Softcover    $47    The Training Edition of the Congressional Deskbook is included in this course: Capitol Hill Workshop

 

2006 Benjamin Franklin Award Finalist

This comprehensive guide to Congress is ideal for anyone who wants to know how Congress really works, including federal executives, attorneys, lobbyists, media and public affairs staff, government affairs, policy and budget analysts, congressional office staff and students. 

• Clear explanation of the legislative process, budget process, and House and Senate business

• Flowcharts for legislative and budget processes

• How to research members and committees

• Explanation of the electoral college and votes by states

• Research guidelines and resources - print and online

• Maps of the Capitol and Capitol Hill

• House and Senate committee and subcommittee office locations and phone numbers

• Glossary of legislative terms

• Relationship between budget resolutions and appropriations and authorization bills

• Amendment tree and amendment procedures

• How members are assigned to committees

• Agenda for early organization meetings (after election, before adjournment)

• Sample legislative documents with explanatory annotations

• Addresses and phone numbers of members of Congress and their staffs

• Bibliographic references throughout

• Phenomenal compendium of web-based information resources

More Information
Table of Contents	The Authors	Related Resources	Details	§ 8.01  Legislative Process Flowchart

As the name Congressional Deskbook implies, this book is meant to be kept close at hand for answering the variety of questions that arise daily in monitoring, interacting with, and studying Congress. The book is organized for daily use in answering questions, but it may be read in sections, by chapters, or in its entirety, as the reader chooses.

Chapter One attempts to create an image of what it is like to be a member of Congress. It describes the competition that imbues every aspect of the institution and the fragmented life of a member.

Chapters Two, Three, and Four guide the reader through some of the major pressures affecting members of Congress. These pressures come from campaigns and elections, constituency, media, the president and executive branch, the courts, lobbyists, and the ethics environment. The chapters provide an overview of the laws and congressional rules that affect members, staff, and the individuals who interact with them.

Chapters Five and Six explain the support structures of Congress. They identify components of the expense allowance system, staff positions and responsibilities, the work of support offices, and features of the Capitol and congressional office buildings. These chapters orient the reader to congressional staff roles and offer a guide to finding one's way around Capitol Hill.

Chapter Seven describes the organization of Congress. It addresses not only the structures of the committee system and of the leadership hierarchy, but also how committee assignments are made and leaders are selected. It describes the early organization activities of the House and Senate following a general election.

Chapter Eight describes the legislative process in detail. It explains hearings and committee markup strategies and methods of obtaining floor consideration of legislative initiatives. Amendments between the chambers and conference procedures are explained. The chapter describes options available to leaders and members throughout the legislative process, and provides guides for keeping track of events at each major stage of the legislative process.

Chapter Nine demystifies the federal budget process. It includes discussion of the president's role in budgeting, the congressional budget process, authorizations, and appropriations. It explains the terminology, concepts, and procedures of the budget process, such as reconciliation.

Chapter Ten discusses procedures and powers in Congress's relations with the executive, the judiciary, and the states and localities. It also explains some of the ways in which Congress deals procedurally with defense and foreign policy. Topics in this chapter include confirmation of presidential appointees to executive and judicial posts, the role of legislative history, fast-track procedures, the War Powers Act, alternative procedures for selection of a president and vice president, constitutional amendments, and unfunded mandates.

Chapters Eleven and Twelve identify and explain the use of congressional documents. Subjects include the forms and versions of legislation, laws and implementing executive documents, official rules and procedure manuals, and party and administrative publications.

Chapter Thirteen identifies numerous private and governmental information resources, and provides descriptions of print and electronic resources, web addresses, and telephone contacts for obtaining additional information on resources. Numerous tips on research will facilitate a reader's work.

Chapter Fourteen guides the reader in researching members and committees, monitoring floor action, and tracking legislative action.

A case study in Chapter Fifteen ties the legislative process, legislative documents, and other topics in the book together as it takes a measure enacted into law in the 106th Congress through the legislative steps from inception to public law. Document excerpts are displayed, and explanatory texts and annotations accompany each excerpt.

A cumulative, expanded glossary complements the individual glossaries and definitions that appear in individual chapters. Appendices One through Seven provide extensive telephone and room listings for members, committees, and leaders on Capitol Hill. All of the web sites listed throughout the book are cumulated in a table. This list is followed by an index to the book.

From the Introduction

Preview
(Table of Contents below)

Summary of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1. Being a Member of Congress
Chapter 2. Pressures on Congress: Campaigns and Elections
Chapter 3. Pressures on Congress: Constituents, Media, President, and Courts
Chapter 4. Pressures on Congress: Lobbying and Congressional Ethics
Chapter 5. Supporting Congress: Allowances and Staff
Chapter 6. Supporting Congress: The Capitol Complex
Chapter 7. Organizing Congress: Members, Leaders, and Committees
Chapter 8. Legislating in Congress: Legislative Process
Chapter 9. Legislating in Congress: Federal Budget Process
Chapter 10. Legislating in Congress: Special Procedures and Considerations
Chapter 11. Congressional Documents: Overview, Legislation, and Laws
Chapter 12. Congressional Documents: Committee, Chamber, Party, and Administrative Publications
Chapter 13. Legislative Research: Private and Government Information Providers
Chapter 14. Legislative Research: How to Monitor and Research Congress
Chapter 15. Putting It All Together: A Working Example
Back of the Book
Glossary
Appendices
Table of Web Sites
Principal Index Terms
Index

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Preface
Introduction

Chapter 1. Being a Member of Congress
1.00  Introduction
1.10  Who . . . Gets . . . What!
1.20  Congress, the Political Institution
1.30  A Member of Congress as Politician, Policymaker, and Parliamentarian
1.40  Obligations and Perquisites
1.50  Ever-Changing and Unpredictable Schedules
1.51  Example of a Senior House Member's Daily Schedule
1.52  Example of a Freshman House Member's Daily Schedule
1.53  Excerpt from House's Daily Schedule (GOP Source)
1.54  Excerpt from House's Daily Schedule (Democratic Source)
1.55  Floor Discussion of Schedule Changes
1.60  Family Life
1.70  Staying in Congress

Chapter 2. Pressures on Congress: Campaigns and Elections
2.00  Introduction
2.10  Campaigns and Elections
2.11  2008 Congressional Election Information
2.12  Members' Support for Candidates
2.13  Reapportionment and Redistricting
2.20  Election Laws
2.21  Federal Election Commission Web Site

Chapter 3. Pressures on Congress: Constituents, Media, President, and Courts
3.00  Introduction
3.10  Constituency Pressure
3.11  Example of Constituent Outreach
3.12  Example of Member's Newsletter
3.13  Example of Privacy Act Release Form
3.14  Constituent Service Reflected in Member's Newsletter
3.15  Case Work Outreach
3.16  "Pork Barrel Politics"
3.17  Tips for Contacting Members of Congress
3.18  Addressing Correspondence to Members of Congress
3.19  Constituent Outreach Meetings
3.110  Advertising Constituents' Access to a Member
3.111  Example of Community Holiday Event
3.112  Constituent Services and Courtesies
3.20  Media Pressure
3.21  Member's Web Site
3.22  Media Galleries
3.23  Sample Senate Press Release
3.24  Media Guidance for a Major Committee Hearing
3.30  Executive-Branch Pressure
3.31  Members of Congress Who Served as President
3.32  Former Members of Congress Appointed by President Bush to Executive Positions
3.33  White House Legislative Affairs
3.34  Presidential Support for His Party's Members
3.35  State of the Union Address
3.40  Judicial-Branch Pressure

Chapter 4. Pressures on Congress: Lobbying and Congressional Ethics
4.00  Introduction
4.10  Lobbying Pressures
4.11  Grass-roots Training
4.12  Example of Grass-roots Campaign
4.13  Meeting Tips for a Lobbyist
4.20  Lobbying Laws
4.21  Resources on Lobbying
4.22  Lobbying Disclosure Form
4.30  Congressional Ethics
4.31  House Financial Disclosure Form

Chapter 5. Supporting Congress: Allowances and Staff
5.00  Introduction
5.10  Pay and Allowances of Members
5.20  Salary, Earned Income, and Benefits
5.30  House Allowances for Staff, Office, and Other Expenses
5.40  Senate Allowances for Staff, Office, and Other Expenses
5.41  Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account
5.50  Franking Privilege
5.60  Personal Staff
5.61  Staff Salary Data
5.62  Congressional Staff Organizations
5.70  Committee and Subcommittee Staff
5.80  House of Representatives Committee Funding
5.90  Senate Committee Funding
5.100  Congressional Fellowships and Internships
5.110  Administrative Offices of the House
5.111  Chaplains and Guest Chaplains
5.112  Selling Products and Services to Congress
5.113  Congressional Pages
5.120  Administrative Offices of the Senate
5.121  Architect of the Capitol
5.122  Office of the Attending Physician
5.123  Capitol Police
5.130  Legislative-Branch Support Agencies
5.131  Requesting GAO Assistance
5.140  Government Printing Office
5.150  Congressional Accountability Act
5.160  General Services Administration
5.170  Congressional Liaison Offices
5.171  Liaison Offices on Capitol Hill
5.172  Duties of a Congressional Liaison Office
5.173  General Counsel Offices
5.180  Office of Management and Budget
5.190  Outside Groups
5.191  Congressional Spouse Organizations

Chapter 6. Supporting Congress: The Capitol Complex
6.00  Introduction
6.10  U.S. Capitol and Grounds
6.11  The Lantern and Flags
6.12  Current Projects at the Capitol
6.13  Statues in National Statuary Hall
6.14  Those Who Have Lain in State or in Honor in the Capitol Rotunda
6.15  Resources on the Capitol
6.20  Guide to Public Buildings on Capitol Hill
6.21  Capitol Hill Map
6.22  Capitol Security
6.23  The Capitol's Second (Principal) Floor
6.24  House Office Buildings
6.25  Senate Office Buildings
6.30  Bells and Lights: Senate and House Signals

Chapter 7. Organizing Congress: Members, Leaders, and Committees
7.00  Introduction
7.01  Constitutional Provisions Related to the Composition and Organization of Congress
7.10  Members of Congress
7.11  Senate Classes
7.12  Membership Changes, 110th Congress, First Session
7.13  Party Switchers
7.14  Selected Characteristics of the 110th Congress
7.15  Senators in the 110th Congress Who Previously Served in the House of Representatives
7.16  Former Governors Serving in the 110th Congress
7.17  Numbers of Former State and Local Elected Officials Serving in the 110th Congress
7.18  Members of Congress Who Subsequently Served on the Supreme Court
7.19  Former Judges Serving in the 110th Congress
7.110  Members of the 110th Congress Who Were Pages
7.111  Members of the 110th Congress Who Have Served as Congressional Staff
7.112  Vice Presidents Elected to Senate
7.20  Terms and Sessions of Congress
7.21  Terms of Congress
7.22  Lame-Duck Sessions of Congress, 1935-2006
7.23  Resume of Congressional Activity, 109th Congress
7.24  Joint Meetings and Joint Sessions
7.30  Early Organization Meetings
7.31  Representative Early Organization Schedule: 108th Congress
7.40  Party Leadership
7.41  Party Control of Congress, 80th through 110th Congresses
7.42  House Leadership Structure, 110th Congress
7.43  The Parties' Whip Structures
7.44  Senate Leadership Structure, 110th Congress
7.50  Committees and Subcommittees
7.51  House and Joint Committee Ratios in the 110th Congress
7.52  Senate Committee Ratios in the 110th Congress
7.53  Member Press Release
7.54  Example of a Senior Committee Member's Activities
7.55  House Committee Chairs and Ranking Minority Members and Their Tenure
7.56  House Committee Assignment Request Form
7.57  Categories of Committees in the House of Representatives
7.58  Senate Committee Chairs and Ranking Minority Members and Their Tenure
7.59  Categories of Committees in the Senate
7.60  Informal Groups and Congressional Member Organizations (CMOs)
7.61  Selected Caucuses and Informal Groups
7.70  Commissions and Boards

Chapter 8. Legislating in Congress: Legislative Process
8.00  Introduction
8.01  Legislative Process Flowchart
8.02  House Rules Citations
8.03  Senate Rules Citations
8.04  Selected Procedures: House and Senate Rules
8.10  Types of Measures
8.11  Legislation Glossary
8.20  Drafting and Introducing Legislation
8.21  House Cosponsorship Form
8.22  Sample "Dear Colleague" Letter
8.30  Referral of Legislation to Committee
8.31  Sample Jurisdictional Agreement
8.32  Sample of House Referral
8.40  Committee Hearings
8.41  Committee Hearings Schedule
8.42  Keeping Up with House and Senate Committee Hearings
8.43  Sample Truth in Testimony Form
8.44  Celebrity Witnesses
8.45  Field Hearing Announcement
8.50  Committee Markup
8.51  Committee Markup and Reporting Glossary
8.52  Keeping Up with House and Senate Committee Markups
8.60  Committee Reports
8.61  Reading the Cover Page of a House Committee Report
8.62  House Committee Reports: Required Contents
8.63  Senate Committee Reports: Required Contents
8.70  House Floor: Scheduling and Privilege
8.71  House Calendars
8.72  Daily Starting Times in the House
8.80  House Floor: Methods of Consideration
8.90  Rules Committee and Special Rules
8.91  Special Rules Glossary
8.92  Announcement on Amendments Prior to a Rules Committee Meeting
8.93  Reading a Special Rule
8.100  Consideration of a Special Rule on the House Floor
8.110  Committee of the Whole: Debate
8.111  The Mace
8.112  House versus Committee of the Whole
8.113  Who Is Allowed on the House Floor?
8.114  Committee of the Whole and the House: Stages of Action
8.120  Committee of the Whole: Amendment Process
8.121  Amendment Process Glossary
8.122  Basic House Amendment Tree
8.123  Keeping Up with the House Floor: Scheduling and Proceedings
8.130  House Floor: Voting
8.131  House Voting Glossary
8.140  House Floor: Motion to Recommit and Final Passage
8.141  Approval Terminology
8.150  House and Senate Compared
8.151  Comparison of Selected House and Senate Procedures
8.160  Senate Scheduling
8.161  Keeping Up with the Senate Floor: Scheduling and Proceedings
8.170  Legislative and Calendar Days; Morning Hour and Morning Business
8.180  Senate Calendars and Legislative and Executive Business before the Senate
8.190  Holds, Clearance, and Unanimous Consent
8.191  Who Is Allowed on the Senate Floor?
8.200  Time Agreements and Motions to Proceed on the Senate Floor
8.201  Example of a Senate Unanimous Consent Time Agreement
8.202  Comparing a House Special Rule and a Senate Time Agreement
8.210  Consideration and Debate on the Senate Floor
8.211  Longest Senate Filibusters
8.220  Senate Amendment Procedure
8.230  Cloture in Senate Floor Proceedings
8.231  Steps to Invoke Cloture
8.232  Senate Procedures under Cloture
8.240  Senate Floor: Motion to Reconsider and Final Passage
8.250  Voting in the Senate
8.260  Reconciling Differences between House-Passed and Senate-Passed Legislation
8.261  Reconciling Differences Glossary
8.262  Keeping Up with Reconciling House-Senate Differences
8.270  Amendments between the Houses
8.280  Conference Committees
8.281  Size of Conference Committees
8.282  Authority of Conferees
8.283  Conference Signature Sheet
8.290  Presidential Action on Enacted Measures
8.291  Vetoes and Veto Overrides: Presidential Clout
8.300  Publication of Public Laws

Chapter 9. Legislating in Congress: Federal Budget Process
9.00  Introduction: Congress's "Power of the Purse"
9.01  Congress's Constitutional "Power of the Purse"
9.02  Federal Budgeting Concepts and Terminology
9.10  Key Budget Process Laws
9.11  Budget Enforcement Act Procedures
9.20  The Budget Cycle
9.30  Budget Enforcement Framework
9.40  Presidential Budget Process
9.41  Typical Executive Budget Process Timetable
9.42  Office of Management and Budget Publications
9.43  Volumes Containing and Explaining the President's Annual Budget
9.44  Program and Financing Schedule in President's Budget Appendix
9.50  Congressional Budget Process
9.51  Congressional Budget Process Timetable
9.52  Completion Dates of Budget Resolutions
9.53  Congressional Budget Process Flowchart
9.54  Functional Categories in a Congressional Budget Resolution
9.55  Membership on the House and Senate Budget Committees
9.60  Spending, Revenue, and Debt-Limit Legislation
9.61  Budgeting for Direct and Guaranteed Loans
9.70  Spending Legislation
9.71  Differences between Discretionary and Direct Spending
9.80  Authorization and Appropriation Processes
9.81  Limitations, Earmarks, and General Provisions
9.82  New Appropriations Subcommittee Organization
9.83  Sequence of Appropriations Measures through Congress
9.84  Examples of Appropriations Subcommittees' Requirements for Member Requests
9.90  Revenue Legislation
9.91  Tax Expenditures
9.92  Revenue Estimates
9.100  Debt-Limit Legislation
9.110  Reconciliation Legislation
9.120  Implementation of the Budget by Executive Agencies
9.130  Apportionment
9.140  Transfer and Reprogramming
9.150  Impoundment: Deferrals and Rescissions
9.160  Budget Process Glossary

Chapter 10. Legislating in Congress: Special Procedures and Considerations
10.00  Introduction: Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Federalism
10.10  Congress and the Executive
10.20  Congress and the Executive: Legislation
10.21  Letter Opposing Legislation (from the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce)
10.22  Presidential Letter
10.30  Congress and the Executive: Ratification of Treaties, and Foreign Policy
10.40  Congress and the Executive: Rulemaking
10.41  Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking
10.50  Congress and the Executive: Appropriations
10.51  Legislative Veto
10.60  Congress and the Executive: Management
10.61  Program Performance Information Resources
10.70  Congress and the Executive: Oversight and Investigation
10.71  Examples of Oversight Letters
10.72  Executive Privilege
10.73  Legislative History
10.74  Hearings May Affect Public or Private Practices
10.75  Committee Investigations and Witness Protections
10.76  Example of Subpoena to Executive Branch Official
10.77  Seeking to Compel Testimony
10.80  Congress and the Executive: Appointments
10.81  Confirmation Procedure
10.90  Congress and the Executive: Presidential Election and Succession
10.91  Electoral College
10.92  Presidential and Vice Presidential Succession
10.100  Congress and the Executive: Impeachment
10.110  Congress and the Courts
10.120  Congress and the Courts: Exercising Congressional Powers
10.121  Nominations to Federal Courts
10.122  Gathering Information on a Judicial Nominee
10.123  Congressional Response to Court Decisions
10.130  Congress and Foreign Policy
10.140  Congress and Foreign Policy: Declaring War and Committing Troops
10.150  Congress and Foreign Policy: Treaties and International Agreements
10.151  Fast-Track Procedures
10.160  Congress and Foreign Policy: Legislation, Appropriations, and Nominations
10.170  Congress and Foreign Policy: Nonbinding Actions
10.171  Letter to Foreign Leader
10.180  Congress and Federalism
10.190  Congress and Federalism: Exercising Congressional Powers
10.200  Congress and Federalism: Financial Support for State and Local Governments
10.201  States' Washington Offices and State and Local Governments' National Organizations
10.202  Unfunded Mandates
10.210  Congress and Federalism: Amending the Constitution
10.220  Congress and Federalism: Extending the Franchise

Chapter 11. Congressional Documents: Overview, Legislation, and Laws
11.00  Introduction
11.10  Finding and Obtaining Congressional Documents
11.11  THOMAS Web Site
11.12  GPO Access Web Site
11.13  House of Representatives Web Site
11.14  Senate Web Site
11.15  Recorded Congressional Information
11.20  Legislation: Bills and Joint Resolutions
11.30  Legislation: Simple and Concurrent Resolutions
11.40  Versions of Legislation
11.50  Laws and Their Implementation by the Executive
11.51  Excerpt from a Public Law
11.52  Excerpt from the Statutes at Large
11.53  Excerpt from the U.S. Code

Chapter 12. Congressional Documents: Committee, Chamber, Party, and Administrative Publications
12.00  Introduction
12.10  Committee Documents
12.11  Excerpt from a House Committee Calendar
12.12  Example of a Committee Print
12.13  Example of a House Legislative Activity Report
12.20  Floor Documents
12.21  Calendars of the United States House of Representatives and History of Legislation
12.22  Senate Calendar of Business
12.23  Senate Executive Calendar
12.30  Congressional Rules and Precedents
12.40  Official Rules Publications of the House
12.50  Official Rules Publications of the Senate
12.60  Other Congressional Sources of Information on Rules and Procedures
12.61  Byrd and Dole Historical Documents
12.70  Party Publications
12.80  Administrative Documents
12.81  Selected Congressional Documents about Members of Congress

Chapter 13. Legislative Research: Private and Government Information Providers
13.00  Introduction
13.10  Legislative-Branch Agencies and Offices
13.20  Directories
13.30  Information Sources: A Selective List
13.40  Web Search Tips
13.41  Search Engine Tips
13.42  Additional Search Tips
13.43  Email Alert and News Services
13.50  Media, Policy, and Opinion on the Web
13.51  Selected Media Web Sites
13.52  Selected Policy Institutes and Think Tanks
13.53  Selected Journals of Opinion
13.54  Selected Academic Journals
13.60  For Further Reading: Books by and about Congress

Chapter 14. Legislative Research: How to Monitor and Research Congress
14.00  Introduction
14.10  How to Follow Floor Proceedings in the House
14.11  House Floor Plan
14.12  View of the Speaker's Dais and Wall of the House
14.13  View of the Speaker's Dais, Floor of the House, and Galleries
14.20  How to Follow Floor Proceedings in the Senate
14.21  Senate Floor Plan
14.22  View of the Senate Rostrum, or Presiding Officer's Dais
14.30  How to Research Committees
14.40  How to Research Members
14.50  Checklist of Jobs to Undertake in the Office: Tracking Legislative Action

Chapter 15. Putting It All Together: A Working Example
15.00  Key Legislative Documents Depicting the History of Financial Services Modernization Legislation in the 106th Congress
15.01  Bill as Introduced in the House
15.01a  Sample--Bill as Introduced in the House
15.02  Bill as Reported
15.02a  Sample--Bill as Reported
15.03  Banking and Financial Services Committee Report
15.03a  Sample--Banking and Financial Services Committee Report
15.04  Banking and Financial Services Committee Supplementary Report
15.04a  Sample--Banking and Financial Services Committee Supplementary Report
15.05  Commerce Committee Report
15.05a  Sample--Commerce Committee Report
15.06  Special Rule from the Rules Committee
15.06a  Sample--Special Rule from the Rules Committee
15.07  Rules Committee Report
15.07a  Sample--Rules Committee Report
15.08  Statement of Administration Policy (House)
15.08a  Sample--Statement of Administration Policy (House)
15.09  Legislation as Passed the House
15.09a  Sample--Legislation as Passed the House
15.10  Legislation as Received in the Senate
15.10a  Sample--Legislation as Received in the Senate
15.11  Legislation as Introduced in the Senate
15.11a  Sample--Legislation as Introduced in the Senate
15.12  Senate Committee Report
15.12a  Sample--Senate Committee Report
15.13  Statement of Administration Policy (Senate)
15.13a  Sample--Statement of Administration Policy (Senate)
15.14  Legislation as Passed the Senate
15.14a  Sample--Legislation as Passed the Senate
15.15  Legislation Received in the House from the Senate
15.15a  Sample--Legislation Received in the House from the Senate
15.16  Side-by-Side Comparative Print
15.16a  Sample--Side-by-Side Comparative Print
15.17  Conference Chair's Letter to Conferees
15.17a  Sample--Conference Chair's Letter to Conferees
15.18  Conference Committee Amendment Proposed
15.18a  Sample--Conference Committee Amendment Proposed
15.19  Conference Report
15.19a  Sample--Conference Report
15.20  Joint Explanatory Statement
15.20a  Sample--Joint Explanatory Statement
15.21  Special Rule from the Rules Committee for Consideration of the Conference Report
15.21a  Sample--Special Rule from the Rules Committee for Consideration of the Conference Report
15.22  Enrolled Measure
15.22a  Sample--Enrolled Measure
15.23  Public Law
15.23a  Sample--Public Law

Back of the Book
Glossary
Appendices
Table of Web Sites (10-page PDF ) 
Principal Index Terms
Index

Michael L. Koempel is a senior specialist in American national government at the Congressional Research Service, a department of the Library of Congress. He worked previously for Congressional Quarterly Inc., and on the staffs of a U.S. representative and a state governor. Mr. Koempel holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from The Catholic University of America, and is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia.

Judy Schneider is a specialist on Congress at the Congressional Research Service, a department of the Library of Congress, and an adjunct scholar at The Brookings Institution. She worked previously for Senate and House committees, including the Senate Select Committee to Study the Senate Committee System. Ms. Schneider was selected as a Stennis Fellow for the 108th Congress, and received the Women in Government Relations (WGR) Distinguished Member Award in 2004. Ms. Schneider is a frequent speaker and lecturer on Congress and legislative procedures. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from The American University.

Contributing Authors

Chapter 10 (Congress and federalism)
Eugene Boyd is a public policy analyst at the Congressional Research Service, where he specializes in issues relating to federalism, intergovernmental relations, the federal grant system, and urban policy. He has also published articles on congressional actions affecting state and local governments. Mr. Boyd holds a bachelor's degree in urban studies from Virginia Commonwealth University and has undertaken graduate studies in city and regional planning at Howard University.

Chapters 13
Peggy Garvin is an information consultant and author of The United States Government Internet Manual, an annual reference book from Bernan Press, and Real World Research Skills, published in 2006 by TheCapitol.Net. She has worked with government information, libraries, and information technology over her twenty-year career with the Congressional Research Service and in the private sector. Ms. Garvin earned her Master of Library Science degree from Syracuse University.

Chapter 9
Bill Heniff Jr. is an analyst in American national government at the Congressional Research Service, where he specializes in the budget and legislative processes. He holds a doctorate in government and politics from the University of Maryland.

Robert Keith, who has worked at the Congressional Research Service since 1974, is a Specialist in American National Government. He specializes in legislative procedure and the federal budget process, focusing particularly on the development and consideration of budget resolutions, reconciliation bills, authorization and appropriation acts, revenue and debt-limit legislation, and proposals to change the budget process.

Chapter 10 (Congress and the executive)
Henry B. Hogue earned his doctorate in public administration from The American University. His subsequent areas of study and publication have included the presidential appointment process, presidential recess-appointment authority, electronic government, and topics related to federal executive organization and management. Dr. Hogue is an analyst at the Congressional Research Service.

The views expressed in this book are those of the individual authors. They do not represent the views of their employers or of TheCapitol.Net.

---

"In this book we share our observations and experiences with readers who study Congress, who work there as members or staffers, who cover the institution as journalists, or who try to influence it as advocates, lobbyists, or citizens. Scores of books and studies about Congress are published each year. Some address legislative or budget procedures. Others detail documents that are generated on Capitol Hill or catalogue available Internet resources. Some explore an aspect of congressional history, or tell the story of Congress through a biography, voting patterns, leadership styles, or individual legislation. This book owes much to earlier books and studies. In some ways, it is a synthesis of these publications; in other ways, it is a complementary volume.

We decided that another book on Congress was not superfluous, but should provide as much practical information on the operations of this institution as possible in one volume. In this book, we cover legislative, budget, and special procedures; how various procedures relate to each other; the forms and impact of political competition on Capitol Hill; overviews of the election, lobbying, and ethics laws and rules that regulate congressional behavior; the work of congressional, committee, and administrative offices; the variety of congressional documents; and how to conduct research on Congress."

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Capitol Learning Audio Courses Capitol Learning Audio Courses are a convenient way to learn about the legislative process, federal budgeting, media relations, business etiquette, and much more.  Each course is between 1/2 hour and 2 hours long, and includes the course materials.  Conference Committees: How The Work Gets Done How to Organize a Capitol Hill Day How to Work the Hill Like a Pro Understanding the Path of Legislation Congressional Committees and Party Leadership: Who Controls the Congressional Agenda Senate Scheduling and Floor Procedures Senate Amendment Procedure House Floor Procedures The House Rules Committee: Gatekeeper to the Floor and more Our Capitol Learning Audio Courses can be customized with your logo in quantities of 250 to 10,000 copies.  Contact our Client Liaison for details.

Also see these related publications Congressional Operations Poster Persuading Congress Testifying Before Congress Legislative Drafter's Deskbook Lobbying and Advocacy The Federal Budget Process, Government Series Congressional Authorizations and Appropriations, Government Series Committee Markup in the U.S. House of Representatives, Government Series

 

Congressional Deskbook: The Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Congress, Fifth Edition
By Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider
Contributing Authors: Eugene Boyd, Peggy Garvin, Bill Heniff Jr., Henry Hogue, and Robert Keith  

Softcover $47 Softcover: 716 pages  ISBN 10: 1587330970 ISBN 13: 978-1-58733-097-1 ISSN: 1531-0116 OCLC: 60514840 Published 2007 Dimensions: 8.2 x 10.85 x 1.5 Weight: 3.5 pounds The Congressional Deskbook is available from your bookseller or online.

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Rave Reviews

"The Deskbook is a highly readable, timely and comprehensive resource on Congressional operations and procedures. It is a consistently reliable tool for any student of Congress and any legislative practitioner, regardless of their level of experience."
-- Martin B. Gold, Covington & Burling, Washington, DC

"The Congressional Deskbook is perfect for anyone who wants to understand how Congress works. It is concise, clarion clear and comprehensive all at once. It is spare and crisp -- but it never oversimplifies. It is written in lay language, but it never 'dumbs it down.' The Congressional Deskbook is a unique tool, one that I use regularly."
-- David Hawkings, Senior Editor, Congressional Quarterly

"The Congressional Deskbook is almost too good to be true. The breadth and depth of its coverage of Congress and of the institution's innumerable rules and practices are truly extraordinary. Most importantly, such detail is presented in an exceedingly accessible and efficient fashion. I have no doubt that the Deskbook will become an indispensable teaching tool and reference volume in my teaching and research pursuits."
-- Sarah Binder, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, The George Washington University

"It is hard to imagine an interested citizen or policy practitioner who would not learn something from the Congressional Deskbook."
-- Steve Frantzich, Professor, Department of Political Science, U.S. Naval Academy

"The Congressional Deskbook is a treasure trove of practical information on the U.S. Congress. It can be used effectively as a basic text on the operations of the legislative branch and as a reference guide for answers to simple and complex questions about the first branch of government. An essential resource for those working within, reporting on, lobbying, or just trying to understand our very complicated and essential national legislature."
-- Thomas E. Mann, W. Averell Harriman Chair and Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution

"The Congressional Deskbook puts between two covers what would take most people hundreds of hours to track down separately (let alone decipher). It pulls it all together by using concrete examples and documents to make things easily understandable--no mean feat given the labyrinthine ways of Congress."
-- Don Wolfensberger, Former staff director, House Rules Committee

"The Congressional Deskbook is the perfect one-stop reference tool for anyone seeking information on the legislative branch of government. Beyond the valuable information about how Congress works and how bills become laws, the Congressional Deskbook takes the reader inside the Capitol, explaining the customs and power structure. If you want to know how House and Senate leaders are chosen or if you are searching for a list of those who have lain in state or in Honor in the Capitol Rotunda or how federal spending decisions are made, this reference book has all that plus more."
-- Gebe Martinez, Reporter covering Congress and politics, The Houston Chronicle

"I first came across the Congressional Deskbook in the spring of 2004 and can't imagine getting along without it in the future.  The Deskbook contains an amazing amount of highly useful information for anyone who deals with Congress or wants to fully understand its workings.  It has clear and pertinent information on legislative procedure and organization, how to contact members of Congress, committees, and subcommittees, and includes a chapter on the budget process, a chapter on "How to Monitor and Research Congress," and a comprehensive glossary of legislative terms. The Congressional Deskbook is of great value to academicians, public administrators at all levels of government, politically engaged citizens, lobbyists, and policy advocates. I know of no other book that explains the people, politics, policy, and procedures of Congress so completely, clearly, and skillfully. The authors are to be commended and thanked for giving us an all-in-one-place fabulous guide to Congress."
-- David H. Rosenbloom, Distinguished Professor of Public Administration, School of Public Affairs, American University

"A valuable, detailed, and highly functional synthesis of information about the legislative branch. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All collections."       
-- CHOICE (click for full review)

"[A]n excellent resource for individuals seeking to learn or expand their knowledge of Congress and our system of lawmaking. What's best about the book is that it puts so much valuable information into one place and provides hundreds of additional resources, should the reader desire to learn more."     
-- Wisconsin Lawyer (click for full review)

"No personal, professional, academic, or community library political science collection can be considered complete without the inclusion of the Congressional Deskbook...."    
-- Midwest Book Review 
 

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