Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1996


Book Description

"The Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1996" is the essential reference tool and guide through more than two centuries of congressional history. This directory features: -- Alphabetically arranged biographies of more than 11,000 men and women who served in the U.S. and Continental Congresses-from the beginning in 1774 through the 104th Congress in 1996 -- Complete rosters for every Congress -- Listings of all Cabinet members since George Washington's administration This new edition offers many added features, including: descriptions of legislation for members who are sponsors or co-sponsors of acts known by their name: notable achievements outside Congress; and bibliographic citations.










America's Congress


Book Description

To understand American politics and government, we need to recognize not only that members of Congress are agents of societal interests and preferences but also that they act with a certain degree of autonomy and consequence in the country’s public sphere. In this illuminating book, a distinguished political scientist examines actions performed by members of Congress throughout American history, assessing their patterns and importance and their role in the American system of separation of powers. David R. Mayhew examines standard history books on the United States and identifies more than two thousand actions by individual members of the House and Senate that are significant enough to be mentioned. Mayhew offers insights into a wide range of matters, from the nature of congressional opposition to presidents and the surprising frequency of foreign policy actions to the timing of notable activity within congressional careers (and the way that congressional term limits might affect these performances). His book sheds new light on the contributions to U.S. history made by members of Congress.




Party Leaders in the United States Congress, 1789-2009


Book Description

Briefly describes current responsibilities and selection mechanisms for 15 House and Senate party leadership posts and provides tables with historical data, including service dates, party affiliation, and other information for each. Although party divisions appeared almost from the First Congress, the formally structured party leadership organizations now taken for granted are a relatively modern development. Constitutionally-specified leaders, namely the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate, can be identified since the first Congress. Other leadership posts, however, were not formally recognized until about the middle of the 19th century, and some are 20th century creations. Bibliography. Tables. A print on demand report.




Congress A to Z


Book Description

Congress A to Z provides ready-reference insight into the national legislature, its organization, processes, personalities, major legislation, and history. No other volume so clearly and concisely explains every key aspect of the national legislature. The Sixth Edition of this classic, easy-to-use reference is updated with new entries covering the dramatic congressional events of recent years, including social media usage by members of Congress, the politics of recent debt ceiling and deficit spending showdowns with the executive branch, new floor leaders in both chambers, and campaign finance patterns. Each of the more than 250 entries, arranged in encyclopedic A-to-Z format, provides insight into the key questions readers have about the U.S. Congress and helps them make sense of the narrow power division between Republicans and Democrats, the methods members use to advance their agendas, the influence of lobby groups, the key role of committees and strong-willed leaders, and much more. Key Features: Available in both electronic and print formats Quick answers to questions as well as in-depth background on the U.S. Congress Historical and contemporary photos Detailed appendices, tables, internet addresses, and index




Dixie Emporium


Book Description

The ten essays in this collection focus on how southerners have marketed themselves to outsiders and identify spaces, services, and products that construct various Souths that exaggerate, refute, or self-consciously safeguard elements of southernness. Simultaneous.




Women in the United States Congress


Book Description

Women, obviously, constitute a significant portion of the population. Historically, though, they have been underrepresented in the halls of government. Before the 19th amendment granted women the vote, lack of suffrage could be cited as the prime reason for deficient representation; but even since then, the proportion of female representatives in Congress has lagged. While the impact on women's issues may be debatable, the numbers are not. In recent years, though, this situation has changed as several women have reason to key leadership roles and have influenced the national agenda. These advances cannot go unnoticed and the women who have risen to such prominent national spots and earned elective office deserve to be recognised. This book takes up that task wholeheartedly. Provided here are presentations of the history behind women in Congress and their leadership positions. The accomplishments of minority women are also enumerated. The book concludes with a comprehensive listing of all women who have served as Congressional members from 1917-2001. Anyone who hopes to appreciate the impact women have had on the national government can use this book to become familiar with the prominent figures.




Guide to Congress


Book Description

The new edition of this comprehensive, two-volume reference has been thoroughly revised and expanded by expert CQ Press writers—with years of experience covering Congress—to offer a complete institutional history of Congress along with updated insight and analysis on the 2008 and 2010 shifts in power of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The 35 chapters of Guide to Congress, Seventh Edition, are divided into eight subject areas that cover all aspects of the U.S. Congress: Origins and Development of Congress, from the constitutional beginnings of the legislative branch to the histories of the House and Senate and their power shifts, eras of partisanship and unity, influential leaders, and working relationships with presidents. New coverage includes analysis of the tug-of-war between House Democrats and the George W. Bush administration on Iraq war withdrawal timetables, updates on criminal investigations of House members including William J. Jefferson of Louisiana and Charles Rangel of New York, and analysis of the Tea Party Movement and new Republican majority. Powers of Congress, including powers to tax, spend, and borrow; to conduct foreign policy and investigations; to confirm and impeach; to regulate commerce; to amend the Constitution; and to select the president. Updated material includes analysis of the George W. Bush administration’s use of immunity from questioning by congressional committees, analysis of the signing of the new START treaty with Russia—marking a cornerstone of U.S. relations with the country, coverage of the War on Terror—including the killing of bin Laden in a U.S. raid in Pakistan, and perspective on the negotiations to raise the federal debt ceiling in 2011. Congressional Procedures, detailing the party and leadership structures; rules and the legislative process; the committee system, assignment, and procedures; and congressional staff. Revised coverage profiles the methods, styles, and legislative successes and defeats of House Speakers Pelosi and Boehner and Senate majority leader Reid. The Guide also analyzes the new hpyerpartisanship emerging in Congress and provides updates on congressional travel reforms and aide statistics and trends. Pressures on Congress, including influence from constituents, political parties, the president, the Supreme Court, lobbyists, and the media. New material explores the use of social media to communicate with constituents, examines the role of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and analyzes the Obama administration’s relationship with Congress. Housing and Support, covering the U.S. Capitol, House and Senate office buildings, the Library of Congress, and organizations such as the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Research Service. Updates are provided on new initiatives by the Library of Congress and reforms to the General Accounting Office. Pay and Perquisites, including honoraria and allowances, franking and travel privileges, and other benefits. Updates include revised figures for congressional pay and benefits and analysis of efforts to control privately sponsored foreign travel. Congress and the Electorate, covering the right to vote, the demographic composition of congress, the role of parties in elections, campaign financing, and redistricting. New information discusses elections statistics in recent elections, the impact of third parties, Tea Party gains, and the creation of "super PACs" and 527 groups. Qualifications and conduct, detailing congressional ethics investigations and procedures for disciplining members. Updated coverage reviews ethics investigations, including the creation of the Office of Congressional Ethics. Specific investigations and outcomes are discussed, including the censure of Charles Rangel and disapproval of Joe Wilson’s outburst during a speech by President Obama. Volume 2 concludes with a selected bibliography and key reference materials: a list of all members of congress who have served since 1789; congressional election results; floor leaders and committee chairs; dates for sessions of congress; women, black, Asian, and Hispanic members; and many more. Boxed features, tables, and figures and a generous number of photos enhance the topical coverage of this definitive resource on Congress.




The First Executives


Book Description

This book, The First Executives: Lives and Events in the Shadow of the American Revolution, presents a view of American history that has been almost completely forgotten. It is about a period of American history that has almost been obliterated by the focus on the events surrounding the Revolutionary War. During this time America had a guiding leadership in place that was responsible for forming many of the structures and procedures that we have in our government today. These early chief executives were the visionaries and originators of many of our ideas that we take for granted today. Through their contributions the development of the Presidency took place—and with it the destiny of the United States. The position of a President was initiated from precursor intercolonial gatherings that were conducted under the Albany Congress of 1754 and the Stamp Act Congress of 1765. In the Albany Congress Benjamin Franklin made a formal presentation of a plan for creating a union to the colonial delegates. Franklin’s plan was a design of a union of all of the colonies under a single government, with each colony preserving its right of local independence and separate sovereignty of each colony. The plan included the provision of a single president to be in charge of this union. The Stamp Act Congress was called to support an intercolonial meeting on the issue of the Stamp Act. Nine colonies assembled as an intercolonial congress to deal with the agenda of the Stamp Act of 1765, the Currency Act of 1764 which forbade the colonies to issue any new paper currency and the loss of the right to trial by jury in the Vice-Admiralty courts. When the Stamp Act Congress convened in New York City, New York on October 7, 1765, the first event associated with this meeting was that a President of this body, Timothy Ruggles, was elected to preside over the affairs that were to be conducted by this congress. Ruggles thus became the precursor chief executive of a set of Presidents who were subsequently to lead both the First and Second Continental Congresses a decade later. A formally elected President of the United States, Peyton Randolph, came into being when the first functioning central government started with the First Continental Congress that convened in September 5, 1774, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the First Continental Congress was to debate the issues that were confronting the colonies under British policies. The intent of the sessions was to propose a plan of action in response to the British activities. The Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 10, 1775, for the purpose of discussing the sovereignty of America. In its first action the delegates unanimously elected Peyton Randolph again to be the chief executive of the body. The Second Continental Congress was formed for the purpose of obtaining redress from Great Britain of American grievances and to both recover and establish American rights and liberties that would be recognized by England. More Presidents were elected in the Second Continental Congress with John Hancock following as the next President. The formal sessions ended in October 1788 with Cyrus Griffin being the last elected President of the Continental Congress. An interim caretaker government continued under the Secretary of Congress, Charles Thomson, until March 2, 1789. Since George Washington was not inaugurated as the first Constitutional President until April 30, 1789, there is a fifteen-year period in which the President of the Continental Congress—or the Chairman in the role of President pro tempore—acted as the chief executive officer and as head of state of the government of the United States. Too little credit has been given to the creation of the executive functions and the role of each of the chief executives during this Revolutionary War and post-revolutionary period. Mostly forgotten in the annals of the history of t