Congressional Procedure is the definitive guide to understanding the legislative and congressional budget processes, providing a complete roadmap to the inner workings of Congress. Ideal for federal executives, attorneys, lobbyists, media and public affairs staff, government affairs professionals, policy and budget analysts, congressional staff, and students. This comprehensive reference explains how Congress truly operates, from constitutional foundations to final passage of legislation.
Packed with legislative flowcharts, amendment trees, and a glossary of terms, Congressional Procedure provides practical clarity on the legislative process, the relationship between budget resolutions and appropriation and authorization bills, how members are assigned to committees, and the full scope of House and Senate business. This indispensable guide equips readers with the knowledge and tools to navigate Congress with confidence and effectiveness.
The book begins with Congress and the Constitution, covering constitutional provisions, rules, terms, sessions, and the structures and roles of the House, Senate, and congressional committees. Introduction of Legislation details why legislation is submitted, the different forms of bills and resolutions, sponsorship and co-sponsorship, submission, referral to committees, and Senate Rule XIV. Committees are examined in depth, including subcommittees, leadership, hearings, markups, amendment procedures, and reporting legislation to the floor.
Chapters on the House and Senate Floors guide readers through scheduling, rules, debate, motions, amendments, voting, and final passage, while Resolving Differences Between the House and Senate explains bicameral negotiations, conference reports, and presidential involvement. Drafting Legislation provides step-by-step guidance on structuring bill text, substantive drafting, strategic considerations, and collaborating with legislative counsel.
The book also explores Authorizations, Appropriations, and the Power of the Purse, including the Congressional Budget Resolution, reconciliation bills, the Byrd Rule, PAYGO, earmarks, debt ceiling, and presidential impoundment. Other Congressional Powers and Relationships with the Executive and Judicial Branches covers nominations, treaties, oversight, investigations, impeachment, the electoral process, presidential succession, and amending the Constitution.
Jeff Bozman is a writer and lawyer who has worked in all three branches of the federal government. He served as a government relations executive for venture-backed technology companies, and as counsel to the chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee. He practiced law with Covington in Washington, DC and clerked for the chief judge of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. At William & Mary Law School, he served as the editor-in-chief of Volume 53 of the William and Mary Law Review and was awarded the Thatcher Prize, the I'Anson Prize, the Reveley Award, and the Order of the Coif. Prior to law school, he served as a Marine Corps officer. Outside of writing and the law, Jeff is a member of St. John's Lafayette Square and the treasurer of the King's Singers Global Foundation. He is a classically trained singer and an early board member of the Armed Services Arts Partnership. Richard A. Arenberg is Clarence Adams and Rachel Adams Visiting Professor of the Practice of Political Science and a Senior Fellow in International and Public Affairs at Brown University. He is the author of Congressional Procedure: A Practical Guide to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress. He previously taught at Northeastern University and Suffolk University. He worked for Sens. Paul Tsongas (D-MA), Carl Levin (D-MI), and Majority Leader George Mitchell (D-ME) for 34 years. He served on the Senate Iran-Contra Committee in 1987. Arenberg is co-author of the award-winning, "Defending the Filibuster: Soul of the Senate," named "Book of the Year in Political Science" by Foreword Reviews in 2012. A second edition was published in 2014. The U.S. Senate Historical Office published "Richard A. Arenberg: Oral History Interviews" in 2011. He serves on the Board of Directors of Social Security Works and the Social Security Education Fund. He is an affiliate at the Taubman Center for American Politics & Policy. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Providence Journal, Politico, and The Boston Globe. He is a Contributor at Newsmax and The Hill. Arenberg holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Boston University. Alan S. Frumin is Parliamentarian Emeritus of the U.S. Senate.
"A clear explanation of the workings of the United States government that should be required reading for politically engaged Americans." -- KIRKUS "The actual rules of Congress, written and unwritten, are rarely mastered even by the members themselves. All the formalities matter, but so do the folkways that govern their daily application. Arenberg has written a sophisticated and invaluable primer on both. It may take time to be familiar with the ins and outs of Capitol Hill, but Arenberg gives us a great place to begin and an excellent manual to carry with us on the way." -- Ron Elving, Senior Editor and Correspondent / NPR News, Executive in Residence / School of Public Affairs / American University "Richard Arenberg understands the workings of the Senate as well as anyone I know. Congressional Procedure reflects his wealth of experience, common sense, political savvy, and extensive knowledge of the legislative process." -- Carl Levin, U.S. Senate (D-MI) (1979- 2015)
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