The View of the Courts from the Hill

Focusing on the period 1995-2006, this work examines US congressional attitudes towards the federal courts and, particularly, the US Supreme Court, both in terms of rhetoric and in terms of more substantive institutional attacks. Following an overview of historical periods of conflict between the courts and the Congress, Miller (government, Clark U.) examines routine interactions between the Congress and the courts, including confirmation of judicial nominees, appropriations for the courts, and reactions of Congress to statutory-interpretation and constitutionally based rulings from the courts. He then discusses the contemporary tensions with the courts that are rooted in criticisms from the Religious Right and the ways those tensions have been expressed in the House Judiciary Committee while recently under Republican control, including the enactment of legislation under former Committee Chairman Sensenbrenner. He concludes with a defense of judicial independence and a call for congressional restraint. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Mark C. Miller is Associate Professor of Government and Director of the Law and Society Program at Clark University and the editor ofExploring Judicial Politics.