The Democrats have their best chance in 10 years to make major gains in the congressional elections on November 7, 2006 while Republicans are striving to retain control of both the House and the Senate. For Republicans to lose control of both houses of the legislature, the Democrats need net gains of 15 House seats and six Senate seats. This…

Investigates, through content analysis, some of the variables involved in the coverage "Time,""Newsweek," and "U.S. News and World Report," give to United States Senators. (RB)

Intended to improve citizen understanding of the legislative process and to encourage active participation in that process, this booklet describes how the United States House of Representatives conducts its business and provides a viewers' guide to the proceedings of the House as they are transmitted via satellite and cable to over 10 million…

This document contains hearings on the oversight of the Census Bureau. The Hon. Robert Garcia (chairman of the subcommittee) presided. The statement of the Hon. Robert T. Matsui, a Representative in Congress from the State of California, indicated a concern regarding what definition should be used to reflect accurately the extent of poverty in…

A discussion of the implications of broadcasting daily legislative activities. (Author)

Concludes that journalists and sources share notions about what aspects of a bureaucratic process are worth their attention and that journalists select information in a patterned way, with that pattern determined by the frames of reference of the sources. (FL)

The next decade will see the workload of Congress increase as its power weakens. The result may be more delay and confusion in the decision-making process. (RM)

This pamphlet attempts to make communicating with legislators easy. Each section includes a brief paragraph and several bullet points that present techniques or advice for simplifying communication. It begins with "Rules for Effective Advocacy," which presents a core set of basic advocacy principles, followed by "What Makes…

An analysis of the tasks of an MP intended to dispel myths concerning the reasons why a man should desire to stand for Parliament. (Author/JB)

Surveys legislators in Minnesota about their attitudes toward family policy and related activities. Findings indicate a need for broad public discussion about family policy so that family policy maps of legislators may be more clearly drawn and prospects of coherent family policy more likely. (Author/BEF)

Investigates national media attention to Democratic and Republican women congressional candidates in 1990 and 1992. Finds media attention related to whether the candidates are running for the Senate or House, incumbency, and state population. Shows that party is a statistically significant factor associated with media attention, and that ethnic…

U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum has become the leading Republican advocate for education. She shares AASA's support for the Head Start program, but is skeptical about financing a federal day care program. She also supports latchkey, intergenerational, and vocational/technical programs, and favors community volunteering over a national youth service…

The authors discuss how to write an effective, persuasive letter to an elected official. They encourage business communications instructors to promote letter writing to their students as a means of political activism. (CH)

Explores the nature of the political ideology that justified and sustained conservative efforts to prevent the passage of the Library Services Act of 1956 and discusses implications for current efforts to secure reauthorization of the Library Services and Construction Act. Highlights include a historical account of actions by Congress and state…

States that changes in the United States Senate evolve slowly and idiosyncratically. Discusses Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania's violation of the Senate's style of rhetorical decorum. Concludes that, while clinging to the customs of the past and slowness of pace that distinguish it from the House of Representatives, the Senate has not escaped the…