Essay Schedule 90-Day Study 2018 – Fire on the Floor: The Rules, Conflict, and Debate that Fuel the United States Congress
INTRODUCTION
Essay 1 – Introduction – The United States Congress and Its Place in Constitutional Government.
- Introduction: The United States Congress and Its Place in Constitutional Government by Professor William Morrisey
Essay 2 – Introduction (Part 2) – The United States Congress Today.
- Introduction (Part 2): The United States Congress Today by Professor William Morrisey
CONGRESS: THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Essay 3 – Beginnings of the United States Congress as the Legislative Branch – How and where Congress began meeting, Purpose and Founders’ vision for a bicameral Congress (Part 1).
- Beginnings of the United States Congress (Part 1) by Tony Williams
Essay 4 – Beginnings of the United States Congress as the Legislative Branch – How and where Congress began meeting, Purpose and Founders’ vision for a bicameral Congress (Part 2).
- Beginnings of the United States Congress (Part 2) by Marc Clauson
Essay 5 – House History: Purpose of the United States House of Representatives as the Immediate Will of the People and How It Differs from the Senate.
- House History: Purpose of the United States House of Representatives as the Immediate Will of the People by Scot Faulkner
Essay 6 – Senate History: Purpose of the United States Senate, Known as the Upper House, the “Cooling Factor” or “Sober, Second Thought” as It Relates to the United States House of Representatives.
- Senate History: Purpose of the U.S. Senate, the “Cooling Factor” and “Sober, Second Thought” by James Legee
Essay 7 – The first Congress meets March 4, 1789, in New York City with a new Constitution in effect during the first Congress of the United States – From 1789 to today; how, when, and why Congress convenes.
- Since the First U.S. Congress in 1789: Why, When and How the People’s Branch Convenes by Tony Williams
Essay 8 – Legislative Branch – Of the three branches of American government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial as established in the United States Constitution, is the most important, the branch of the people whose primary role is lawmaking.
Essay 9 – Legislative Branch – Why the Legislative Branch is listed first in Article I of the United States Constitution.
- Why the Legislative Branch Is Listed First in Article I of the United States Constitution by James D. Best
Essay 10 – Form of Government – What it means to have a republican form of government and why this structure mattered to America’s Founders and Framers of the Constitution in Article IV, Section 4.
- What a Republican Form of Government Means and Why This Structure Mattered to America’s Constitution Framers by Professor Joerg Knipprath
Essay 11 – The Declaration of Independence and the United States Congress.
Essay 12 – Articles of Confederation – The first written constitution of the United States, lead to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, how the early Congress wanted to represent the people and avoid becoming a tyranny.
- The Articles of Confederation: The First Written Constitution of the United States by George Landrith
Essay 13 – Articles of Confederation – Congress wielded all three powers: Legislative, Judicial, and Executive, that were later separated.
- Articles of Confederation – Congress Wielded All Three Powers: Legislative, Judicial, Executive, Later Separated by Daniel A. Cotter
Essay 14 – Articles of Confederation – What the Founders thought of the Articles of Confederation and why this document did not last.
- Articles of Confederation – What the Founders Thought of the Articles of Confederation and Why They Did Not Last by Patrick Garry
Essay 15 – Bill of Rights – In a letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison he writes, “A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth,” on designing an effective government that remains in the hands of the American people by placing limits on Congressional governing (Part 1).
- Bill of Rights: Placing Limits on Congressional Governing (Part 1) by Andrew Langer
Essay 16 – Bill of Rights – Placing Limits on Congressional Governing (Part 2).
Essay 17 – Bill of Rights – Placing Limits on Congressional Governing (Part 3).
- Bill of Rights: Placing Limits on Congressional Governing (Part 3) by Patrick Garry
Essay 18 – Bill of Rights – Congressman James Madison addresses the House in 1789 on Amendments to the United States Constitution, and guides the Bill of Rights through the United States House of Representatives.
- James Madison: Guiding the Bill of Rights Through the U.S. House of Representatives by Tony Williams
FEDERALIST PAPERS ON CONGRESS
Essay 19 – Federalist No. 10 – Political stability v. instability and the necessities for good government in the relationship between American citizens and those among them who serve as members of Congress.
- Federalist 10: Political Stability and Good Governance by Richard Wagner
Essay 20 – Federalist No. 51 and 53 – The necessities for good government in regards to checks and balances between the branches of government: How the American people hold Congress accountable.
Essay 21 – Federalist No. 62 and 63 – Powers vested in the Senate, order and soundness of the Congress: The Senate as a stable body, for a sense of national character responsible to the people.
- Federalist 62 and 63: Senate Powers for Soundness, Order, Stability of the Congress by Joseph Knippenberg
Essay 22 – Federalist No. 62 – The Structure and Role of the Senate.
- Federalist 62: The Structure and Role of the Senate by Forrest Nabors
Essay 23 – Federalist No. 63 – The Senate and Our National Character.
- Federalist 63: The Senate and Our National Character by Forrest Nabors
THE GREAT DEBATES
Essay 24 – Culture of Debates on the House and Senate Floors – How congressional debate has changed throughout the over 200 years of Floor proceedings; importance of decorum and civil debate especially in the Senate.
- Culture of Debates on the House and Senate Floors by Scot Faulkner
Essay 25 – Statesmanship and the Great Debates – Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and John C. Calhoun with distinguished oratory about the United States Constitution and American Union in the 1800s.
- Statesmanship and the Distinguished Oratory of Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun by Brian Pawlowski
Essay 26 – The Great Debates – The Decision of 1789: Separation of powers, and the disputes between Congress and the President on removal of presidential appointees.
- The Great Debates – The Decision of 1789: Congress, the President and Removal of Presidential Appointees by David Alvis and Flagg Taylor
Essay 27 – The Great Debates – Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and the role of Congress in the creation and constitutionality of the National Bank (Part 1).
- The Great Debates – Role of Congress in Creation and Constitutionality of the National Bank (Part 1) by Joerg Knipprath
Essay 28 – The Great Debates – Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and the role of Congress in the creation and constitutionality of the National Bank (Part 2).
- The Great Debates – Role of Congress in the Creation and Constitutionality of the National Bank (Part 2) by Tony Williams
Essay 29 – The Great Debates – Congress and the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
- The Great Debates – Congress and the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by Daniel A. Cotter
Essay 30 – The Great Debates – 1830 Senate speech by Senator Robert Hayne and Daniel Webster’s reply to Robert Hayne’s speech.
- The Great Debates – Robert Hayne’s 1830 Senate Speech and Daniel Webster’s Reply (Part 1) by Joerg Knipprath
Essay 31 – The Great Debates – 1830 Senate speech by Senator Robert Hayne and Daniel Webster’s reply to Robert Hayne’s speech (Part 2).
- The Great Debates – Robert Hayne’s 1830 Senate Speech and Daniel Webster’s Reply (Part 2) by Joerg Knipprath
Essay 32 – Freedom of Speech Within Congressional Debates – John Quincy Adams and his epic struggle against the Gag Rule in the 1840s.
- Freedom of Speech Within Congressional Debates: John Quincy Adams and the Gag Rule, 1840s by Tony Williams
Essay 33 – The Great Debates – Stephen A. Douglas (1813-1861) who served as a House and Senate congressman from Illinois, was instrumental in the Compromise of 1850 and Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854; known as “the Little Giant.”
- The Great Debates – Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln in Congressional Debate: The Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 by Daniel A. Cotter
Essay 34 – The Great Debates – League of Nations Senate debate of 1919; Wilson, Lodge, and the fight over the Versailles Treaty and congressional prerogative over declaration of war. Woodrow Wilson (18565-1924) from New Jersey served as 28th President of the United States. Henry Cabot Lodge (1850-1924) served as a House and Senate congressman from Massachusetts.
- The Great Debates – Henry Cabot Lodge Senate Debate of 1919 and the Treaty of Versailles by Tony Williams
Essay 35 – The Great Debates – The Nineteenth Amendment.
- The Great Debates – The Nineteenth Amendment by Cleta Mitchell
Essay 36 – The Great Debates – Entry into World War II and the America first debate (Part 1).
Essay 37 – The Great Debates – Entry into World War II and the America First debate (Part 2).
Essay 38 – The Great Debates – Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- The Great Debates – Civil Rights Act of 1964 by Daniel A. Cotter
BIOGRAPHIES OF PROMINENT CONGRESSMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY
Essay 39 – John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) – Served as the sixth President of the United States 1825-1829, a Massachusetts House and Senate congressman.
- John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) – Sixth U.S. President, Massachusetts House and Senate Member by Brian Pawlowski
Essay 40 – Henry Clay (1777-1852) – Served as Speaker of the House under President John Quincy Adams and senator, from Kentucky, and leader of the Whig party.
Essay 41 – John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) – Served as the nation’s seventh Vice President of the United States to Presidents John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, a South Carolina House and Senate congressman (Part 1).
- John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) – Seventh U.S. Vice President, South Carolina House and Senate Member (Part 1) by Joerg Knipprath
Essay 42 – John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) – Served as the nation’s seventh Vice President of the United States to Presidents John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, a South Carolina House and Senate congressman (Part 2).
- John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) – Seventh U.S. Vice President, South Carolina House and Senate Member (Part 2) by Joerg Knipprath
Essay 43 – Daniel Webster (1782-1852) – Served as a New Hampshire House and Senate congressman, and in the Cabinet as secretary of state under Presidents William Henry Harrison and John Tyler; known as the “Great Orator” (Part 1).
- Daniel Webster (1782-1852) – Secretary of State, New Hampshire House and Senate Member, Known as the “Great Orator” (Part 1) by Joerg Knipprath
Essay 44 – Daniel Webster (1782-1852) – Served as a New Hampshire House and Senate congressman, and in the Cabinet as secretary of state under Presidents William Henry Harrison and John Tyler; known as the “Great Orator” (Part 2).
- Daniel Webster (1782-1852) – Secretary of State, New Hampshire House and Senate Member, Known as the “Great Orator” (Part 2) by Joerg Knipprath
Essay 45 – Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858) – Served as a House and Senate congressman; elected in 1820; one of the first two Missouri Senators, recognized as a Senate leader for the Presidents’ Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren administrations.
Essay 46 – James G. Blaine (1830-1893) – Served as secretary of state, appointed by Presidents James Garfield and Benjamin Harrison, a congressional representative and senator from Maine.
- James G. Blaine (1830-1893) – House Speaker and Senate Member from Maine, Secretary of State, Presidential Candidate by Daniel A. Cotter
Essay 47 – Thomas Bracket Reed (1839-1902) – Served as Speaker of the House, a Congress Member and State Senator from Maine; known for “Reed’s Rules” and being a very influential House Speaker.
- Thomas Brackett Reed (1839-1902) – House Speaker from Maine Known for “Reed’s Rules” by Joseph Postell and Samuel Postell
Essay 48 – Samuel Rayburn (1882-1961) – Served as a congressman from Texas, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
- Samuel Rayburn (1882-1961) – House Speaker from Texas by Patrick Cox
Essay 49 – Howard Worth Smith (1883-1976) – Served as a congressman from Virginia, Rules Committee chairman.
- Howard Worth Smith (1883-1976) – House Member from Virginia, Rules Committee Chairman by Bruce Dierenfield
Essay 50 – Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) (1908-1973) – Served as 36th President of the United States; Vice President to John F. Kennedy; congressman from Texas, Senate Minority and Majority Leader; known for his progressive “Great Society” programs.
- Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) (1908-1973) – 36th U.S. President, Vice President, House Member, Senate Minority and Majority Leader from Texas by Daniel A. Cotter
Essay 51 – Mike Mansfield (1903-2001) – Served as a congressman and Senate Majority Leader from Montana.
Essay 52 – Robert Taft (1889-1953) – Served as a State Representative and United States Senator from Ohio, son of President William Howard Taft.
- Robert Taft (1889-1953) – State Representative, U. S. Senator from Ohio; Son of President William Howard Taft by Tony Williams
Essay 53 – Thomas Philip, Jr. (Tip) O’Neill (1912-1994) – Served as a congressman from Massachusetts as Democratic Whip, Majority Leader, and Speaker of the House.
- Thomas Philip, Jr. (Tip) O’Neill (1912-1994) – House Speaker, Democratic Whip and Majority Leader from Massachusetts by Daniel A. Cotter
Essay 54 – Henry J. Hyde (1924-2007) – Served as a congressman from Illinois, Majority Leader and Chair of the Judiciary Committee.
- Henry J. Hyde (1924-2007) (R-IL) – House Majority Leader, Judiciary Committee Chairman by Gary Porter
Essay 55 – Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927-2003) – Served as a Senator from New York; Democratic Party Leader in Congress.
- Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927-2003) – Senate Member from New York, Democratic Party Leader by Daniel A. Cotter
Essay 56 – Newt Gingrich (1943) – Served as a congressman from Georgia, Speaker of the House, and Republican Whip; led the 1994 Contract with America.
- Newt Gingrich (1943) – House Speaker, Republican Whip from Georgia; Led the 1994 Contract with America by Scot Faulkner
BOOKS
Essay 57 – Book: The Challenge of Congressional Representation by Richard F. Fenno, a summary.
- The Challenge of Congressional Representation (2013) by Richard Fenno, A Summary by The Honorable Frank Reilly
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
Essay 58 – Magna Carta, (The Great Charter), Parliament and the origins of representative Congress.
- Magna Carta (The Great Charter), Parliament and the Origins of Representative Congress by Marc Clauson
Essay 59 – Holding power accountable: Magna Carta, Parliament, and the origins of representative Congress.
- Holding Power Accountable: Magna Carta, Parliament, and the Origins of Representative Congress by Scot Faulkner
Essay 60 – Virginia House of Burgesses and colonial legislatures as the basis for consent and American self-government.
- Virginia House of Burgesses and Colonial Legislatures as the Basis for Consent and American Self-Government Joerg Knipprath
Essay 61 – Representative Government – How Congress is designed by America’s Founders so a king could not rule, but instead the American people rule within a civil society.
- Representative Government: The Founders’ Design for the American People to Rule Within a Civil Society by James D. Best
Essay 62 – Barbara Jordan (1936-1996) – Congresswoman and Judiciary Committee Member from Texas.
Essay 63 – “Rule of Law Applies to Congress, Too” – Meaning of the Rule of Law and its importance to the functions of Congress in representing the American people.
- Rule of Law: Meaning and Importance to Functions of Congress in Representing the American People by Adam MacLeod
Essay 64 – Rule of Law: Accountable, Not Arbitrary, in Regards to Representing the American People.
- Rule of Law: Accountable, Not Arbitrary, in Regards to Representing the American People by Marc Clauson
Essay 65 – Rule of Law and Separation of Powers: Preservers of Liberty.
- Rule of Law and Separation of Powers: Preservers of Liberty by Richard Wagner
Essay 66 – Rule of Law as the Bedrock of American Society.
- Rule of Law as the Bedrock of American Society by Gary Porter
Essay 67 – Rule of Law: Do Our Laws Apply to All?
- Rule of Law: Do Our Laws Apply to All? by Gary Porter
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS
Essay 68 – Election of Congress – Significance of House and Senate Members elected directly by the people: Congressional districts, population, how the number of constituents affects representation.
- Direct Election and How the Number of Constituents per Congressional District Affects Representation by Joerg Knipprath
Essay 69 – Election of Congress – Why the election method matters for the stability and continuity of representative government.
- Election of Congress: Why Election Method Matters for Stability and Continuity of Representative Government by Gary Porter
SPECIAL – Essay 70 – A Memorial Day Message by Constituting America Founder and Co-Chair, Janine Turner.
Essay 71 – Campaign Finance – Laws related to campaign finance, a history and impact on running for Congress.
- Campaign Finance – A History, Related Laws, and Impact on Running for Congress by The Honorable Frank M. Reilly
Essay 72 – Counting the Personal Cost – Impact that running for elected office and serving in Congress has on the elected Members and their families.
- Counting the Personal Cost: Impact Running for Elected Office and Serving in Congress Has on Members and Their Families by James D. Best
Essay 73 – Midterms – What a midterm election involves and why they are important for successful functioning of Congress.
Essay 74 – The Great Compromise of 1787 – Maintained fairness of the bicameral, proportional representation, and provided each small state the same voting power as each large state, under the Constitution.
- Elections and the Great Compromise of 1787: Proportional Representation and Voting Power per State by Robert McDonald
CONGRESSIONAL POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essay 75 – Federalism – Legislative power of Congress and the state and local levels.
Essay 76 – Federalism especially in regards to the Senate, legislative power and the Constitution.
- Federalism, the Senate, and the Constitution by Andrew Langer
Essay 77 – Oversight – Congress and federal bureaucracy.
- Congressional Oversight of Federal Bureaucracy by Richard Wagner
Essay 78 – Budget – How Congress uses its power over the budget to make policy, and the constitutional problems that arise in the budget process.
- Power of the Purse and the Congressional Budget Process by Amanda Hughes
Essay 79 – Congressional Powers During War – The United States Congress versus the Confederate Congress during the Civil War.
- Congressional Powers During War: United States Congress Versus the Confederate Congress During the Civil War by James D. Best
Essay 80 – Congress, Declarations of War and authorization of force and War Powers Act e.g., Korea, Vietnam, Iraq.
Essay 81 – Treaty – How treaties have evolved and how Congress must decide on treaties.
- Treaty-Making Power of Congress by Tony Williams
Essay 82 – Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Impeachment: Presidents Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton.
- Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Impeachment: Presidents Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton by Andrew Langer
ROLES IN CONGRESS
Essay 83 – Roles of Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, House and Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, and Whip, for an effective Congress (Part 1).
- Roles: House Speaker, President of the Senate, Majority and Minority Leaders and Whips for an effective Congress (Part 1) by Amanda Hughes
Essay 84 – Roles of Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, House and Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, and Whip, for an effective Congress (Part 2).
- Roles: House Speaker, President of the Senate, Majority and Minority Leaders and Whips for an Effective Congress (Part 2) by Amanda Hughes
Essay 85 – Congressional Aides – How staff who assist members of Congress help them understand legislative proposals (bills).
- Congressional Aides: How Staff Assist Congress Members and Help Them Understand Bills by Scot Faulkner
RULES IN CONGRESS
Essay 86 – Rules of the United States House of Representatives and Senate – History and purpose of how rules are decided.
- History and Purpose of Rules in the United States House of Representatives and Senate by Amanda Hughes
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Essay 87 – Length of Legislation – Why bills have grown significantly in length over the history of the United States Congress.
- Length of Legislation: Why Bills Have Grown Significantly Longer over the History of the United States Congress by Marc Clauson
Essay 88 – Germane – What should and should not be placed in a bill to keep legislation easy to understand and appropriate.
- Germane: What Should and Should Not Be Placed in a Bill to Keep Legislation Easy to Understand and Appropriate by James D. Best
Essay 89 – Ideas of Liberty – The spirit enabled a people to transform their ideas of liberty into a new concept of constitutional government for a free people.
- Ideas of Liberty for a Free People by W. David Stedman and LaVaughn G. Lewis
Essay 90 – Introducing Legislation – Where do ideas for bills come from?
- Introducing Legislation: How Does Congress Get Ideas for Bills? by Amanda Hughes
Essay 91 – Committee Process – Purpose and process of legislative committees in the House of Representatives and Senate.
- Committees: History and Purpose in the United States Congress by Joe Postell and Sam Postell
Essay 92 – Constitutional Muster – Hearings, the committee process and how representative government happens during committee hearings.
- Constitutional Muster: How Representative Government Happens During Committee Hearings by Scot Faulkner
Essay 93 – From Committee to the Floor for a Vote – Role of the American people in the congressional committee process.
- From Committee to Floor Vote: Role of the American People in the Congressional Committee Process by Amanda Hughes
Essay 94 – Will They Agree? – When legislation must go to a conference committee after the House and Senate.
- Will They Agree? When Legislation Must Go to a Conference Committee After the House and Senate by Amanda Hughes
Essay 95 – Sign or Not Sign Into Law? – Getting a bill from introduction in Congress to the President’s desk: How easy should it be?
- Sign or Not Sign Into Law? – Getting a Bill from Congress to the President’s Desk: How Easy Should It Be? by Gary Porter
Essay 96 – How a Bill Becomes Law.
- Genius Design: How an American Bill Becomes Law by Amanda Hughes
SPECIAL – Happy Independence Day! Read the Declaration of Independence with Your Family and Friends! – by Constituting America Founder and Co-Chair, Janine Turner.
GRIDLOCK IN CONGRESS
Essay 97 – Gridlock – Why Congress is so contentious, and how the clash over views in heated debates by opposing sides can pave the way for, or destroy, passage of good laws.
Essay 98 – Partisanship and Violence in Congress – The caning of Charles Sumner (1811-1874) who served as a senator and abolitionist from Massachusetts.
- Partisanship and Violence in Congress: The Caning of Senator and Abolitionist, Charles Sumner (1811-1874) (R-MA) by George Landrith
Essay 99 – Revolt of 1910 against House Speaker Joseph Cannon (1836-1926) whose powers as House Speaker were removed in 1910. Cannon, a congressman from Illinois, also served as Conference Chair.
- Revolt of 1910 Against House Speaker Joseph Cannon (1836-1926) (R-IL) by Joseph Postell and Samuel Postell
Essay 100 – Filibuster – History of the filibuster, today as used only by the Senate, its purpose and effects on the legislative process.
- Filibuster: History, Purpose as Used by the Senate and Effects on the Legislative Process by Frank Reilly
Essay 101 – Transformation of the Parties – How the Democratic and Republican parties have changed throughout the history of the United States, and the effects on Congress.
- How the Democratic and Republican Parties Have Changed Throughout United States History and the Effects on Congress by Tony Williams
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Essay 102 – Congress and the rise of the progressive administrative state.
- Congress and the Rise of the Progressive Administrative State by Marc Clauson
Essay 103 – Direction of power, Congress, and the rise of the progressive administrative state.
Essay 104 – Role of Congress as representative government and the rise of the progressive administrative state.
- Role of Congress as Representative Government and the Rise of the Progressive Administrative State by Joe Postell and Samuel Postell
Essay 105 – Lobbying – The influence of lobbyists on the old system, when political bosses were in charge, and now when candidates need campaign dollars.
- Lobbying: Influence of Lobbyists on Congress by Amanda Hughes
Essay 106 – Technology – Impact made on and by Congress from ink and quill to use of electronic voting, the Internet, and televised Floor proceedings.
- Technology: Impact on and by Congress from Ink and Quill to Electronic Voting, Internet and Televised Floor Proceedings by Scot Faulkner
Essay 107 – Press – How media coverage affects the legislative process.
- Press: How Media Coverage Affects the Legislative Process by Amanda Hughes
Essay 108 – Concluding Essay: The Old Senate.
- Conclusion: The Old Senate by William Morrisey
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