Congressional Investigations and Oversight

📖 The Scoop

This book examines the legal and policy issues surrounding congressional investigations through a series of case studies, with an emphasis on the period from the second half of the twentieth century to date. It is organized by case study topic, with each chapter using one or two case studies to introduce and analyze a discrete area of legal authorities and policy issues. The central thesis and organizing principle of this book is to highlight the importance of effective congressional oversight and investigative activities in our American democratic system of government, as well as the constitutional and parliamentary bases for this legislative power. In addition to collecting legal authorities, the book includes relevant historical information and structural analysis of government functions, with an emphasis on separation of powers issues.

The use of a case study format, rather than a traditional law school casebook format, is intended to present the subject matter in a way that will appeal to the undergraduate and graduate school textbook market as well as the law school market. The authors combine original congressional and judicial source materials with book excerpts and explanatory text to make the subject matter accessible to graduate and upper level undergraduate students in government and political science, as well as law students.

Genre: Law / Constitutional (fancy, right?)