Congressional Intent

This volume examines the shift in the emphasis of the United States Congress from a deliberative body to a focal point for political pressures. The Executive, other federal departments, special interest groups, and professional lobbyists exert increasing and, what some believe is undue, influence on Congress. The result has been to distract the Congress from its primary responsibilities of representation and law making. Invisible handshakes with special interests and political action committees--as opposed to study and deliberation--have an increasing impact on the drafting of legislation. This work analyzes these and other problems and offers some recommendations for change. It also gives a firsthand account of some of the important debates and issues that have shaped Congressional procedures.

This work will be of interest to scholars in U. S. history and government, political science, and contemporary issues. It will also be of interest to legislators at all levels of government.

Study and Deliberation
Prologue
Study and Deliberation in Congress
Congress and the Presidents
The Will of the House
Committees: House of Representatives
Undermining the Study and Deliberative Process
Executive Strategies
The Germaneness Issue
Committee and Rules Strategies
The Public Interest
Special Interest and Lobbyist Agenda
Blueprint for Reform
Bibliography