Congress Makes A Law

"David O'Brien provides readers with a wonderful tour through the First Amendment, giving particular emphasis to all the free speech issues in which `no law' in the constitutional text has never meant `no law' in constitutional law or practice."---Mark Graber, University of Maryland School of Law --

First published in 1953 by the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Rep., this 22nd edition of "How Our Laws Are Made" reflects changes in congressional procedures since the 21st ed., which was revised and updated in 1997. The framers of our Constitution created a strong federal government resting on the concept of "separation of powers." Upon this elegant, yet simple, grant of legislative powers and rulemaking authority has grown an exceedingly complex and evolving legislative process -- much of it unique to each House of Congress. This document has been revised to aid the public's understanding of the legislative process.

Who Makes the Law explores who really makes the law in our society. Using actual cases, it presents the political and societal responses to Court decisions and uncovers a disparity between the theory that the Court is the final say on law and the reality. This book provides a foundation for understanding the function and impact of the U.S. Supreme Court in our lives and how Court opinions both help and hinder the legislative process. It demonstrates the strength of the U.S. Constitution as well as the difficulty of legislating social issues by presenting attempts by Congress to amend the Constitution and write laws in response to actual Court decisions. It reveals the evolutionary process of law and the effect of public opinion through the response of the States and Society to Court decisions. A valuable book for anyone who wants to understand the interaction of lawmakers, public opinion, and the U.S. Supreme Court.