ONE MAJOR REASON the lawmaking process takes so long is that members of Congress have many other responsibilities that make demands on their time. Some of these nonlegislative duties, such as amending the Constitution, confirming presidential appointments, and conducting government investigations, are frequently themselves involved and lengthy procedures. These procedures often significantly change the country's domestic and foreign policies. On occasion they even topple presidents. On the other hand, a few congressional duties are relatively quick and uninvolved. Declaring war and taking part in the selection of the president and vice president, for instance, take little time and effort. Yet these too are weighty and momentous responsibilities that can affect the nation's, as well as the world's, future. Thus, Congress's nonlegislative duties, whether time-consuming or brief, showcase the enormous and often dramatic powers the...