MP Lee Hamilton reflects here on his thirty-four years of service to the nation. Speaking in the first person, he explains with clarity and passion how the legislative branch works in the United States.
What is Congress (or Parliament) for? To vote on laws and the budget of course, but above all to counterbalance the power of the president: in fact, power should not rest entirely in the hands of a single leader.
“An independent legislative body composed of representatives of the people is the best guarantee of freedom.”
Lee Hamilton is aware of the criticisms made by citizens towards political leaders: defense of private interests, internal quarrels and blocking of the legislative process. And he does not hesitate to propose avenues for improving the legislative institution: restoring civility between members, ensuring that Congress fully exercises its control mission, ensuring ethics, adopting long-term reflection term, etc.

As for the citizen, how can he get involved? First, by participating in the electoral process; then, by making the effort to become informed.
This guide will enlighten all those who wonder about the role of the legislative power in a democracy, and in particular in one of the strongest democracies in the world which has proclaimed “a government of the people, by the people and for the people”.

Read the free extract of the book “How the American Congress Works”.