Donald R. Kennon's Books

Washington Past and Present

A Guide to the Nation's Capital

By: Donald R. Kennon

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Washington Past and Present

A Guide to the Nation's Capital

By: Donald R. Kennon

A complete guidebook to the nation's capital.

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Page Count

148

Publisher

Capitol Historical Society

Published Date

ISBN 10

0916200108

ISBN 13

9780916200107

The Congress of the United States

A Student Companion

By: Donald A. Ritchie

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The Congress of the United States

A Student Companion

By: Donald A. Ritchie

This completely revised and updated edition contains more than 200 articles, arranged alphabetically, that provide a concise and easy-to-use guide to the people, issues, vocabulary, and activities of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives." "Fully illustrated and using first-person observations excerpted from memoirs, oral histories, committee hearings, and debates in the Congressional Record, this student companion captures the drama, humor, triumphs, and tragedies of congressional history."--BOOK JACKET.

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Page Count

271

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0195309243

ISBN 13

9780195309249

The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Political and Legal History

By: Donald T. Critchlow,Philip R. VanderMeer

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The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Political and Legal History

By: Donald T. Critchlow,Philip R. VanderMeer

The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Political and Legal History brings together an unparalleled wealth of information about the laws, institutions, and actors that have governed America throughout its history. Entries key political figures, important legislation and governmental institutions, broad political trends relating to elections, voting behavior, and party development, as well as key court cases, legal theories, constitutional interpretations, Supreme Court justices, and other major legal figures. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of politics and law, the more than 430 expertly written entries in the Encyclopedia provide an invaluable and in-depth overview of the development of America's political and legal frameworks.

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1208

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0199754616

ISBN 13

9780199754618

The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction

By: Donald A. Ritchie

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The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction

By: Donald A. Ritchie

Many scholars believe that the framers of the Constitution intended Congress to be the preeminent branch of government. Indeed, no other legislature in the world approaches its power. Yet most Americans have only a murky idea of how it works. In The U.S. Congress, Donald A. Ritchie, a congressional historian for more than thirty years, takes readers on a fascinating, behind-the-scenes tour of Capitol Hill--pointing out the key players, explaining their behavior, and translating parliamentary language into plain English. No mere civics lesson, this eye-opening book provides an insider's perspective on Congress, matched with a professional historian's analytical insight. After a swift survey of the creation of Congress by the constitutional convention, he begins to unscrew the nuts and pull out the bolts. What is it like to campaign for congress? To attract large donors? To enter either house with no seniority? He answers these questions and more, explaining committee assignments (and committee work), the role of staffers and lobbyists, floor proceedings, parliamentary rules, and coalition building. Ritchie explores the great effort put into constituent service--as representatives and senators respond to requests from groups and individuals--as well as media relations and news coverage. He also explores how the grand concepts we all know from civics class--checks and balances, advise and consent, congressional oversight--work in practice, in an age of strong presidents and a muscular Senate minority (no matter which party is in that position). In this sparkling addition to Oxford's Very Short Introduction series, Donald Ritchie moves beyond the cynicism and the platitudes to provide a gem of a portrait of how Congress really works.

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Page Count

169

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0199713634

ISBN 13

9780199713639

The U. S. Congress: a Very Short Introduction

By: Donald A. Ritchie

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The U. S. Congress: a Very Short Introduction

By: Donald A. Ritchie

Compromise is essential for accomplishing anything significant in the legislative arena, and yet recent political polarization has made compromise much harder to achieve. The U.S. Congress was created by a compromise at the Constitutional Convention, which established a House of Representatives apportioned by population, and a Senate in which all states would be equal. The House set rules to allow its majority to prevail, while Senate rules gave more muscle to the minority. Although Congress is divided between two such widely different bodies, no legislation can be enacted, or funds appropriated, without full agreement from both. The membership of Congress has grown increasingly diverse, with more women and minorities being elected. But it has also become more divided, with members of the party conferences voting together more than ninety percent of the time. After winning a seat, members must make choices between national needs and constituent approval. Compromises necessary to passing legislation may prove unpopular and cause primary challenges. Members devote much attention to constituent services and adopt the latest technology to communicate with voters. The news media also plays a key role in making or breaking congressional careers. The Congress examines the legislative process, from committee assignments to floor procedures, and conference that reconcile disagreements. The contrasting rules of the two bodies require different strategies and tactics. Members of the larger House band together by party, state delegation, or caucuses, to increase their impact. Being able to filibuster, senators exert more individual influence. Legislation is shaped largely in committees but also by the floor leaders. Some committees wield more power than others, particularly the Appropriations Committees, which control government spending In the constitutional system of checks and balances, the three branches share power. Legislation passed by Congress may be vetoed by the president or overturned by the Supreme Court. Presidents appeal to Congress to enact and fund their proposals. The Senate votes to confirm or reject the president's nominations-including members of the judiciary. Polarized politics have prompted the Senate majority to employ a "nuclear option" to prevent filibusters on nominations. While the presidency has grown more powerful, Congress retains the ability to investigate executive branch behavior and to impeach and remove presidents, judges, and other federal office holders. Over time, Congress has expanded in size, filling a vast Capitol complex to accommodate, members and their staffs, along with a myriad of constituents, lobbyists, reporters, and other visitors. As a symbol of American democracy, the Capitol has also become a target. Burned by British troops during the War of 1812, threatened on September 11, 2001, and invaded on January 6, 2021, the Capitol has steadily increased security while also seeking to remain on open public view. This new edition explains how Congress has evolved and adjusted to changes in American politics and society"--

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Page Count

177

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0197620787

ISBN 13

9780197620786

Book's by Donald R. Kennon

Washington Past and Present

Washington Past and Present

The Congress of the United States

The Congress of the United States

The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Political and Legal History

The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Political and Legal History

The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction

The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction

The U. S. Congress: a Very Short Introduction

The U. S. Congress: a Very Short Introduction

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