John Godfrey Saxe is often quoted as describing the law-making process by saying, “Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made”. If you are opening this textbook, you are likely beginning a course that will attempt to teach you the process of legislative sausage-making, from the standpoint of Congress and the presidency. However, this is not a typical textbook, and the class you are about to participate in will not be a typical class. For many classes, the goal is to provide you the background, theories, and arguments surrounding a topic. In that regard, this class will be no different. However, instead of merely teaching you the complex dynamics of the federal policy process, this class will push you to understand them in light of your own experiences.