ABSTRACT
This chapter explores congressional practices in order to understand how the legislative process works. It examines the members of congress themselves what kinds of people they are, and what their methods of work and their career aspirations are. The central feature of legislative activity in congress is the committee. Committee hearings can focus the attention of congress and the country on an issue and, by parading the evidence of witnesses, mobilise support for legislation. Legislating in congress requires considerable bargaining and compromise in order to accommodate the diverse interests of members, for without such accommodation, it is relatively easy for a minority of members to block the legislative process. There are several types of committee in congress like standing committee, select or special committee, conference committee and joint committee. Mark-up sessions may involve intense political bargaining between individual members of the committee and between members of the majority and minority parties.
