Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book introduces the Framers and their times. The Framers' fear of tyranny came from English history and their own experiences with King George III. The book reviews American political development since 1789, with attention to developments in the House and Senate as they changed over time. It also describes the oversight power and how House and Senate committees use it to shape agency policies. It also offers a case study of how Congress uses its powers to address major public policy challenges. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress worked to improve the way the federal government protects the United States, culminating in November 2002 with the passage of a bill creating the Department of Homeland Security. The book examines the history of this effort and assesses how effective Congress's use of its powers has been.