For advanced undergraduate courses in Congress, Public Policy, Women in Politics, Federalism and as a supplementary text for introductory courses in American Government.

From Inspiration to Legislation: How an Idea becomes a Bill tells the most complete story of the beginning of the legislative process and the work of those individuals who translate ideas into bills.

Providing an inside view of policy initiation and policy making, this text, written by a former Congressional staff member of Melissa Hart, offers students a first-hand account of the entire process of policy formation from preliminary research to coalition-building, writing the bill, and working with committees to move the bill to the floor. A straightforward, engaging presentation follows the Safe Havens Support Act from the initial idea that inspired the bill, through its crafting and eventual passage as part of two larger social services bills.