Congress and the Nation 2005-2008, Volume XII

This is the signature resource for perspective and analysis on the U.S. Congress. Chronicling the highly partisan, yet dynamic legislative environment during the second term of President George W. Bush, "Congress and the Nation XII" is the most authoritative reference on congressional trends, actions, and political and policy controversies. The newest edition in this award-winning series documents the most fiercely debated issues in recent American politics, providing a unique retrospective analysis of the policies the U.S. Congress crafted during the tumultuous final years of the Bush presidency. "Congress and the Nation XII" offers thorough coverage of congressional activity in response to: The financial meltdown, as the housing bubble burst and financial institutions faltered, resulting in a $700 billion bailout package and a major overhaul of the regulation of home-mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; The devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina and the slow FEMA response; The Iraq War and unsuccessful attempts to force the president to set a deadline for withdrawal; The renewal of the U.S. Patriot Act and public disclosure of illegal wiretapping of American citizens; The controversy over enemy combatants' rights and the torture of detainees; and, The contentious nominations of the first new high-court justices since 1994, including Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., and Samuel Alito. The book also captures the politics and policy implications of the Bush presidency as well as the causes and effects of the partisan turnover in Congress after 2006. Organized by policy area, each chapter contains summaries of legislative activity, including bills passed, defeated, or postponed. No other authoritative source guides readers seamlessly through the policy output of the national legislature with the breadth, depth, and authority of Congress and the Nation. This title details congressional activity by policy area during Bush's second term. It covers highly controversial legislation and struggles within Congress over whether to launch oversight investigations of executive branch activities. It includes a unique essay on the origins, development, and policy response to the 2008 financial crisis.