How Congress Works and Why You Should Care

Lee Hamilton's new book... should be required reading for any American contemplating writing a 'Letter to the Editor' or calling into (or hosting) a radio talk show, or for that matter, stepping into a voting booth. It is an owner's manual for citizens interested in their Congress. — Charlie Cook, Editor and Publisher, The Cook Political Report

... a passionate and eloquent defense of the essential role Congress plays in the American constitutional system and a reasoned call for citizens to engage more actively in their representative democracy. Like Hamilton himself, this volume is scrupulously honest, fair-minded, and accessible to a wide audience. — Thomas Mann, W. Averell Harriman Senior Fellow in American Governance, The Brookings Institution

Lee Hamilton's book not only describes the Madisonian vision of what Congress is supposed to be and assesses how it measures up to that vision today, it also serves the same function of educating and edifying the American public that the Federalist papers did.... Every student of Congress, and every American, can benefit from this book. — Norman J. Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute

How Congress Works and Why You Should Care is a concise introduction to the functions and vital role of the U.S. Congress by eminent former Congressman Lee H. Hamilton. Drawing on 34 years as a U.S. Representative, Hamilton explains how Congress reflects the diversity of the American people, serves as a forum for finding consensus, and provides balance within the federal government. Addressing widespread public misperceptions, he outlines areas where Congress can work better and ways for citizens to become more engaged in public affairs through their representatives in Washington. How Congress Works and Why You Should Care is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the inner workings of Congress, and how all citizens can participate in its unique mission.

How Congress Works and Why You Should Care is a concise introduction tothe functions and vital role of the U.S. Congress by eminent former Congressman LeeH. Hamilton. Drawing on 34 years as a U.S. Representative, Hamilton explains howCongress reflects the diversity of the American people, serves as a forum forfinding consensus, and provides balance within the federal government. Addressingwidespread public misperceptions, he outlines areas where Congress can work betterand ways for citizens to become more engaged in public affairs through theirrepresentatives in Washington. How Congress Works and Why You Should Care isessential reading for anyone who wants to understand the inner workings of Congress, and how all citizens can participate in its unique mission.

An inside look at the way Congress works and how it impacts the lives of all Americans, by an eminent former Congressman.