LAW 816 Legal Process and Public Policy
Legislative institutions are the cornerstone of American democracy. As the most accessible branch of government, legislatures are the primary avenue through which public policy is considered and becomes law. This course will provide an overview of the legislative process, and examine the ways in which businesses, trade associations, and public interest groups participate in the federal legislative and regulatory processes to influence the development of public policy. The course will consider the role of governmental relations and legislative attorneys in these processes and the development of public policy through an examination of a series of current policy issues, ranging from budget and tax policy to voting rights, environmental issues, and property rights, among others. In addition, we will consider how courts interpret the product of the legislative process and the legitimizing characteristics of the institution.