How does today's Congress compare to its predecessors in such areas as its
demographic makeup, partisanship, campaign financing,
and productivity? Vital Statistics on Congress, 2001-2002, the eleventh edition of this biennial reference work, contains answers to these questions and many more.
This book is an annotated collection of the most important data on Congress. The first chapters focus on the members of the institution and their
demographic profiles, campaign and election statistics, and campaign finance data. Next, chapters on committees,
congressional staff, and workload shed light on the inner workings of Congress. Finally, the volume describes the budget process in detail and examines congressional voting patterns and partisan leanings. This edition features a new introductory essay, which describes Congress during three key eras and identifies major sources of change and continuity in Congress over the past half century.