I. FUNCTIONS

    A.     LAW MAKING

    B.    INVESTIGATION

        1. ORDINARY

        2. EXTRA-ORDINARY

    C.    EXECUTIVE OVERSIGHT

        1. GAO

        2. COMMITTEE USE

    D. REPRESENTATION

II. ORGANIZATION

    A.    BICAMERALISM

        1. HOUSE (RULES OF THE HOUSE)

        2. SENATE (ORGANIZATIONAL CHART)

    B.    COMMITTEE SYSTEM (HOUSE AND SENATE)

        1. STRUCTURE & MEMBERSHIP

        2. FUNCTIONS

        3. LEADERSHIP

        4. SIGNIFICANCE

    C.    PARTY LEADERSHIP

        1.     HOUSE

        2.     SENATE

    D.    STAFF

        1.     OFFICE

        2.     COMMITTEE

III.    PROCESSES

    A.    FORMS OF CONGRESSIONAL ACTION

    B.    COMMITTEE REFERRAL

    C.    COMMITTEE ACTION

    D.    BILL CONSIDERATION

    E.    CONFERENCE COMMITTEES

IV. GETTING ELECTED (110th Congress-Congressional Districts; Map of All Districts)

    A.    NOMINATIONS

    B.    CAMPAIGNS

    C.    Incumbent Advantages

        1.    NAME RECOGNITION

        2.    MONEY (Dollars and Cents re incumbency)

        3.    ORGANIZATION

        4.    EXPERIENCE

    D.    MEMBERSHIP PROFILES

V. CONGRESSIONAL POWERS (summary)

    A.   FISCAL POWERS

        1. AUTHORIZATION

        2. APPROPRIATION

        3. OVERVIEW OF AUTHORIZATION AND APPROPRIATION PROCESS

        3. TAXATION

    B.    COMMERCE REGULATION

    C.    FOREIGN AFFAIRS

        1.      POWER TO DECLARE WAR (234 uses of U.S. armed forces)

        2.      SENATORIAL RATIFICATION OF TREATIES

        3.      APPROPRIATION

    D.    SENATORIAL CONFIRMATION OF PRESIDENTIAL  NOMINATIONS

    E.    IMPEACHMENT

    F.    PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

    H.    ELECTING THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT

        1.     THE ELECTION OF 1800

        2.     THE ELECTION OF 1824       

Key Websites

Library of Congress

United Kingdom Parliament

Legislatures Throughout the World

Directory of Members of Congress

C-Span Congressional Guide

Glossary of Congressional Terms

How Laws are Made

Senate Organization

House Organization

Congressional Pay & Perks