Introduction: Looking at Congress from the Inside Out

The United States Capitol’s most distinguishing feature is its dome, a cast-iron structure weighing nearly 9 million pounds. Life under the iron dome never lacks for variety. At any given time, each member’s goals and talents can have a direct impact on how Congress evolves and operates. The 1974 midterm election, for instance, produced a historic turnover in lawmakers. In the wake of the Watergate scandal, a wave of younger, more aggressive legislators was elected, many by running against Congress. More recently, the members of the freshman class of the 117th Congress, elected in 2020, offer diametrically opposing politics and visions for the country and Congress. Congress is a procedurally driven institution steeped in tradition. Its legislative actions can seem trivial and archaic to the untrained eye. This chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.