Lesson 22: How Does Congress Perform Its Functions in the American Constitutional System?
Lesson Objectives
When you have finished this lesson, you should be able to
- describe the role of rules, committees, and political parties in the organization and operation of Congress,
- describe the process through which proposed legislation becomes law,
- identify the primary sources on which members of Congress rely for information in the lawmaking process and to explain the importance of Congress’s inherent power to investigate,
- explain why compromise is required in the deliberative process, and
- evaluate, take, and defend positions on how Congress functions and whether it should streamline its procedures.