U.S. Congress

Catalog description

The Founders established the U.S. Congress in Article I of the Constitution. It created that body as guardian of the nation’s purse strings and empowered it to "make all laws necessary and proper." Will examine the Congress's structure, rules and procedures, traditions, precedents, campaigns, elections, parties, budget process, Member's constituencies and role in the system of checks and balances with the president and the courts. The impact of procedure on policy outcomes and the impacts of the 2020 election on the House and Senate will be explored. The course will consistently relate the characteristics and history of Congress to current events.