The House and Senate Explained: The People's Guide to Congress

by Ellen Greenberg

Overview

Your guide to understanding how Congress works, who does what, and why—and how to reach out and do something about it.

Ellen Greenberg sets the stage for both the House of Representatives and the Senate, explaining what the mace and hopper are, how the chambers are laid out, who the onstage actors are and what they do. Her section on the jargon—the most common phrases used—goes far beyond mere description to show how our government operates. She also explains how business is done: what happens on a daily basis and during the weekly schedule and how a bill becomes a law—or doesn't. The House and Senate Explained includes a chapter on using the Internet to access information about the House, the Senate, and the White House, from getting around Washington to accessing proposed bills to sending E-mail to your congressional representatives. In addition, you'll learn how to be heard by your representatives and how to take a more active role in committee hearings. A listing of all the congressional committees and subcommittees lets you know where your special concerns are being addressed. Whether a C-SPAN addict, a concerned citizen, or a general reader watching the nightly news, this hands-on manual will help you understand Congress and how to make it work for you.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393314960
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	09/17/1996
Series:	Wiley Series in Environmental Quality
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Ellen Greenberg, a C-SPAN watcher, lives in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

Editorial Reviews

"Ellen Greenberg has written a guide to Congress just the way we would have—all facts and no partisan commentary."

Brian Lamb

YAThe perfect book for teens agonizing through Civics or American Government classes and finding the workings of Congress completely incomprehensible. Greenberg simplifies, explains, and presents the legislative branch in ways that bring clarity to confusion. She begins with the basicshow both the House and Senate are physically organized. Two diagrams for each explain and show the positions of the "mace," the "hopper," and other accouterments of government. Seventeen "players," or named positions, in the House and 13 in the Senate are described as well. A chapter entitled "The Script" gives alphabetically listed terms used in legislation. A typical congressional day is outlined and a pithy explanation of the steps from a bill to law is offered. An excellent reference source, the book includes a full index and sections on written and Internet accesses to the government.Carol DeAngelo, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA

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