The elections of 1998 bear out the thesis of this book: so far, the Republicans in Congress are operating more like an old minority party than the new majority party they've become. Still, Congress has changed under Republican leadership and the Republicans have changed, too. This volume of original essays by leading congressional scholars explores the impact of the Republican majority on Congress with attention to the history of the institution and party characteristics present and future. For students and scholars alike, the new majority of an old minority provides a laboratory for political analysis that demonstrates lasting effects. As Republicans learn to govern, the country will no doubt learn something, too.

Contributions by: William F. Connelly, Roger H. Davidson, Christopher J. Deering, C Lawrence Evans, Robin Kolodny, Walter J. Oleszek, Ronald M. Peters, John J. Pitney, Barbara Sinclair, James A. Thurber