Congress ― The First Branch

Written by an award-winning political scientist and a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives who is now an instructor, Congress: The First Branch introduces students to the inner workings of Congress. The text examines the process by which laws are made and passed and the many factors that influence congressional decisions. Presenting the standard material covered in the typical Congress class, this text also pays special attention to the overarching trends in the legislature--specifically hyper-partisanship and the high rates of reelection for incumbents in the midst of very low public regard for the institution. Given all that is at stake, Congress: The First Branch highlights the role of Congress as a critical component in the separation-of-powers system and in creating law and policy for the United States. The combination of these elements creates a unique text that provides students with an insider's look at real life on Capitol Hill.

Sean M. Theriault is an award-winning instructor and scholar. He currently serves as Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin.

Mickey Edwards was a member of Congress for sixteen years, serving on the House Budget and Appropriations Committees and as Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. He has taught at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He currently serves as Vice President of the Aspen Institute, where he directs a bipartisan fellowship for elected public officials.