Abstract
Conventional wisdom holds that the Congress is too fragmented to identify and act on national priorities. Yet through constant modifications Congress has managed to maintain its unique roles of access and creativity without centralization of power or major reorganization. Complementing and overlaying the crucial role played by the committee system is a network of information resources within the Congress that contributes to intelligent consideration of interrelated public policy concerns.
Recent developments reveal strengthened staff support, more active party policy-making, reform of committee procedures and staffing, and expanded information, investigation, and analytical resources. Continuing improvements in congressional decision-making machinery will permit Congress to continue to be a partner with the President in representing the public interest.
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