Contemporary and historical information about Congress as an institution, the lawmaking process, the nature of leadership in Congress, and the characteristics and duties of Congress members.  This section includes related essays by scholars.

Congress: The Context

Resources

• Capitol Hill Map
• The Federalist Papers
• Library of Congress: Architecture and Symbolism
• State of the Union Address, 1790
• U.S. Constitution
• Congressional Research Service Reports
• Congressional Research Service Reports—House Rules Committee List

Expert Views

• The American History and Civics Education Act
• The Case for Representative Democracy: What American Ought to Know about Their Legislatures
• Reflections of a British Intern
• Reform the Electoral College: Two Views from Congress
• “Virtual Congress” Would Weaken Deliberative Process
• What High School Government Teachers Should Know about Congressional Elections
• Why It is Important to Vote
• Speaking Up for Congress: How Does Congress Defend Freedom?

Congress: The Institution

Resources

• Awards, Honors, and Medals Awarded by Congress
• Basic Information
• Bicameralism: Congress as Two Chambers
• Budgeting to Set Up a Congressional Office
• Congressional Research Service Reports
• Congressional Research Service Reports—House Rules Committee List
• Congressional Pay
• Congressional Session Timeline
  
• Congressional Travel
• Congressional Workload
• History of the Senate and House
• House Art, Artifacts, and Architecture
• House Chaplains
• House Chief Administrative Officers
• House Clerks
• House Doorkeepers
• House Historic Ceremonies and Events
• House History Timeline
• House Library
• House Page History
• House Parliamentarians
• House Postmasters
• House Sergeants at Arms
• House Rules of Operation
• Investigations
• Partisan Composition of the House
• Partisan Composition of the Senate
• Rules of Procedure
• Senate Bibliography
• Senate Censure/Condemnation Cases
• Senate:  Classic Speeches
• Senate Desk Assignments and History
• Senate Facts and Milestones
• Senate Graphic Arts
• Senate Historical Minutes
• Senate Institutional Development
• Senate Officers and Staff
• Senate Oral History Project
• Senate Organizational Chart
• Senate Paintings
• Senate Photographic Collection
• Senate Photographic Exhibits
• Senate Powers and Procedures
• Senate Rules
• Senate Sculpture
• Senate Timeline
• Senate Traditions
• Senate Treaty Ratifications
• Sessions of Congress:  Definitions and History
• Staff Pay
• Staff Positions
• Strategic Planning for a Congressional Office
• Supreme Court Nominations
• Vetoes
• Voting Procedures, History

Expert Views

• Building on Common Ground: Balancing Debate with Dialog in Congress
• Understanding Congressional Decisions through Vectors
• "Can We Talk? Free Speech and Civil Discourse in Turbulent Times"
• Being a Partner and Critic to the Congress
• Reporting on Congress: The Role of the Media

Congress: Lawmaking

Resources

• Bill Becomes Law
• Civil Rights Act of 1964: Essay
• Civil Rights Act of 1964: Documents
• Civil Rights Act of 1964: Everett Dirksen's Finest Hour
• Civil Rights Documentation Project
• Congressional Bills Project
• Congressional Research Service Reports on Congress
• Congressional Research Service Reports—House Rules Committee List
• Legislative Process Overview
• Making Laws Simply Explained
• Making Laws:  The House
• Making Laws:  The Senate
• U.S. Constitution
• Voting Rights Act of 1965
• Voting Rights Act of 1965: Essay
  
  See also information posted at: Congress: The Institution

Expert Views

• Understanding Congressional Decisions through Vectors

Congress: Leaders

Resources

• Congressional Leadership Statements
• Congressional Research Service Reports
• Congressional Research Service Reports—House Rules Committee List
• House Majority and Minority Leaders
• House Democratic Caucus Chairman
• House Democratic Whips
• House Republican Conference Chairman
• House Republican Whips
• Joint Senate-House Republican Leadership Press Statements, 1961-68
• Leaders for Today’s Congress
• Leadership Overview
• Leadership Offices in the House
• Leadership Positions
• Speakers of the House
• Senate Leader’s Lecture Series, 1998-2002
• Senate Leadership Overview
• Senate Majority and Minority Leaders
• Senate President Pro Tempore
• Vice Presidents of the United States

Expert Views

• In the Shadow of Watergate: Bob Michel Becomes a Congressional Leader
• Robert H. Michel Leadership Statements, 1982-90
• The Speaker of the House on the Nature of His Office, 2003

Congress: Members

Resources

• Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
• Black Americans in Congress
• Congressional Profile
• Congressional Research Service Reports
• Congressional Research Service Reports—House Rules Committee List
• Congressman:  A Case Study
• Election of Members:  Historical and Current Information
• Everett McKinley Dirksen
• Everett McKinley Dirksen:  Obituary and Eulogy
• House Members Who Became President or Presidential Candidates’
• House Members Who Became Members of the Supreme Court
• Partisan Composition of the House
• Partisan Composition of the Senate
• Ray LaHood
• Robert H. Michel
• Senate Salaries Since 1789
• Senators:  A List of All of Have Served
• Senators:  Ethnic Diversity
• Senators Representing Third or Minor Parties
• Senators Who Became President
• Senators Who Changed Parties During Their Service
• Senators Who Have Been Appointed
• Senators:  Women Who Have Served
• What Members of Congress Do
• Women in Congress

Expert Views

• An Effective Congress and Effective Members: What Does It Take?
• How to Communicate Effectively with Congress Members