An introduction to the U.S. Congress, from seasoned political historians and teachers In this accessible overview of the United States Congress’s past and present, Ginsberg and Hill introduce students to the country’s most democratic institution. This text surveys Congressional elections, the internal structure of Congress, the legislative process, Congress and the President, and Congress and the courts. Congress: The First Branch offers a fresh approach to the First Branch grounded in a historical, positive frame.

Some vols. have appendices consisting of reports of various state offices.

"A summary of judicial precedent on election issues other than campaign financing"--Cover.

First thorough study of modern elections to the U.S. Senate

"This is a book that needed to be written. Eric Cantor’s defeat was not only shocking but it runs against everything we teach in our election courses. By extracting the lessons from Cantor’s defeat, Slingshot helps to inform our more general understanding of campaigns & elections." -Professor Kirby Goidel, Texas A&M University Incumbents don′t lose. So how did nationally prominent House Majority Leader Eric Cantor lose a primary battle to college professor David Brat, an unknown political rookie? In Slingshot: The Defeat of Eric Cantor, authors Lauren Cohen Bell, David Elliot Meyer and Ronald Keith Gaddie take advantage of exceptional behind-the-scenes access to the Brat campaign to explain the challenger’s victory. They examine the essential need for elected officials to maintain strong support in their home districts and just how Cantor’s focus on climbing the party ranks in Washington contributed to his loss. They also show how local "rules of the game" —particularly voter mobilization in this case—affect elections, and they explore the continuing impact of the Tea Party and its role in the factionalism of current Southern politics.

American Constitutional Law: Powers and Liberties provides a broad survey of the field without overwhelming students. The basics of constitutional theory are presented without getting mired in highly theoretical discussions, and cases are tightly edited to focus on the most important aspects, with additional cases on select topics condensed into narrative summaries. This book focuses on cases and expository text rather than extensive academic commentary, and the introductory text provides direction to students as they read and analyze the materials that follow. Additionally, challenging hypotheticals are provided throughout the text for use as student self-assessments or to launch stimulating class discussions. This highly teachable book can be used for a one- or two-semester course and is easily adaptable to suit each professor’s preferences. New to the 7th Edition: Updated through the Supreme Court’s 2021–2022 Term Summarizes or omits older or outdated cases to reduce length New questions and problems for added cases to promote self-assessment Benefits for instructors and students: Easily adaptable to a one- or two-semester course “Just-right” editing of major cases, with less important cases summarized in notes or narrative summary Even-handed presentation of cases so adopters don’t have to “teach against” the text Narrative introductions provide students with context and organizational structure Ideologically neutral tone appeals to professors occupying various points on an ideological spectrum Supplemented annually