This book focuses on Congress as not only a legislative body, but also as a group of reelection-minded politicians, and presents a way to understand the institution and the law-making process. In addition, it features new examples and cases drawn from recent congressional politics-including the battles over health care reform, financial regulations, economic stimulus, fiscal management, and tax policy-the authors also integrate new scholarship on representation, congressional elections, lobbying influence, and the relationship between Congress and the Court.