This book examines how the House operates, and how in recent years it has become more divided along ideological lines and less able to function effectively.

"Hailed as "the world's greatest deliberative body," the United States Senate long enjoyed a reputation for high-minded debate and legislative achievement. But the upper chamber of Congress has lost much of its luster in recent years. The Senate's traditional norms of respect and comits have given way to repeated displays of contempt and finger pointing. Cooperation and consensus building have fallen victim to routine obstructionism. In an escalating...