Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report [Bartle Ref JK 1 .C67]
Congressional Quarterly Almanac (annual) [Bartle Ref JK 1 .C66]
Summaries of Congressional activities, status of major legislation, lists of recently-passed laws, and analyses of important legislative issues. Useful for tracking complex legislation or researching the political background of legislation.

Congressional Staff Directory [Bartle Ref Desk JK 1012 .C65]
Biographies of members and their staff, Capitol Hill organizations, congressional district maps, 14,000 counties and cities with their districts and members.

Official Congressional Directory [Bartle Ref Desk JK 1011]
Biographies of members, committee assignments, congressional district maps, directory of other federal and international agencies, etc.

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Congressional News and Analysis

Congressional News and Analysis
Links from the Library of Congress.

The Hill
"Our editorial viewpoint is nonpartisan and nonideological.... The Hill reports and analyzes the actions of Congress as it struggles to reconcile the needs of those it represents with the legitimate needs of the administration, lobbyists and the news media."

Online Newshour's @ the Capitol
A unique look at the 105th Congress. Includes NewsHour with Jim Lehrer transcripts, weekly interactive forums with members and online coverage of the Capitol.

Roll Call
News and information about Congress from the publisher of "the newspaper of Capitol Hill." Includes News Scoops, Policy Briefings, Politics, Commentary, and more.

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Legislative Histories

A legislative history is the documentation created by Congress during the process of federal law-making. Legislative history documents include bills, committee hearings, committee prints, committee reports, congressional debate, and public laws. You may also be interested in presidential signing statements that accompany bills signed into law by the President.

Sources of Compiled Legislative Histories (most current listed first)

Thomas: Bill Summary & Status (1973- )

History of Bills (1983- )

Calendars of the U.S. House of Representatives (weekly) [Docs Y 1.2/2: ]
Status of major bills including reports, dates of consideration/passage, list of laws and parent bills, bills and their enacted titles, and vetoes.

CIS ANNUAL Legislative Histories (1984- ) [Bartle Ref JK 1001 .C79]
Abstracts of laws and citations to relevant reports, hearings, debates and Presidential statements. For 1970-1983 see the back of the CIS/Abstracts volumes.

U.S. Code Congressional & Administrative News (1969- ) [Bartle Ref K U5 U6]
Text of public laws, committee reports, and congressional debate, and Presidential signing statements. Tables lists each public law, date approved, bill and report numbers, recommending committees, and dates of consideration and passage.

Federal Legislative Histories, an Annotated Bibliography (1862-90) [Bartle Ref KF 42.2 1994]

Sources of Compiled Legislative Histories (1789-1992) [Bartle Ref KF 42 .S6]
Bibliography of government documents, periodical articles, and books.

Digest of Public General Bills and Resolutions (1964-90) [Docs LC 14.6:]

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How to Find Bills (Legislation)

A bill is a proposed law or a proposed amendment to an existing law. Numbered consecutively for each Congress and chamber, e.g., "H.R. 1," "S. 1."

THOMAS: Legislative Information from the Library of Congress
Browse or search legislation by specific bill number, subject terms, keywords in title or text, sponsor, chamber, and type of legislation. Full text of bill versions and committee reports when printed by GPO; browse or search the full text of Congressional Record.

Bill Citations: If you know the public law number:

CIS/Legislative Histories [Bartle Ref JK 1001 C79]
Thomas: Public Laws by Law Number 93rd Congress (1973- )

Bill Citations: If you know the subject or title:

CIS/Index: Subject or Title Index [Bartle Ref JK 1001 C79]
Thomas: Bill Summary and Status

Bill Text: (101st -107th Congresses)

Thomas: Legislation
GPO Access

Bill Summaries/Status:

Thomas: Bill Summary & Status (1973- ) History of Bills (1983- )
Digest of Public General Bills and Resolutions (1964-90) [Docs LC 14.6:]
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How to Find Hearings and Prints [Docs Y 4]

Hearings: For bills of sufficient importance or public interest, committees hold hearings to gather information and testimony from parties interested in the proposed legislation. Oversight hearings are also held which do not necessarily relate to legislation.

Do an advanced keyword search in the Library Catalog: keyword AND hearings

Prints: Research reports prepared for use by congressional committees, usually consisting of compilations of statutes, background information, or working drafts of a bill.

Do an advanced keyword search in the Library Catalog: keyword AND committee ! print

Library Holdings of Hearings and Prints: The majority of the Library's holding of hearing and prints begins in 1962, although we do have scattered titles back to the early 1900's. Printed hearings and prints up to about 1992-93 are in storage. Later titles can be found in the Gov Docs microfiche collection at SuDoc call number Y 4. In addition, we have microfiche hearings for the 77th Congress through 82nd Congress (1941-1952) at microfiche set #125 housed in the Gov Docs microfiche area. These hearings are indexed in CIS U.S. Congressional Committee Hearings Index and are searchable on BearCat.

Years	Location	Format	Cataloged/Indexed
Most hearings between 1941-1952 and scattered titles back to 1935. (CIS Greenwood fiche collection: all of part V, 1945-52; years 1941-44 from part IV; and Greenwood supplemental fiche for parts IV and V, 1935-52.)	Microfiche set 125 in Gov Docs microfiche area	microfiche	In BearCat. See also, CIS U.S. Congressional Committee Hearings Index, 1833-1969.
Misc. titles from early 1900's. More complete coverage beginning in 1962/63 and going through 1992/93	Storage	print	In BearCat. See also CIS U.S. Congressional Committee Hearings Index, 1833-1969 and CIS Annual (1970- )
Most hearings form 1992/93 - 1995	Gov Docs microfiche area. SuDoc # Y 4	microfiche	Mostly not cataloged. See CIS Annual (1970- )
Most hearings from 1995 - present	Gov Docs microfiche area. SuDoc # Y 4	microfiche	In BearCat. See also, CIS Annual (1970- )

Printed Finding Aids for Hearings and Prints: To find hearings and prints since 1970 refer to Using the CIS Annual Index below. Also see :

CIS U.S. Congressional Committee Hearings Index 1833-1969 [Bartle Ref Z 1223 C43]
Indexes by personal names, subjects, organizations, titles, bill numbers, SuDoc numbers, and reports and documents numbers.

CIS Unpublished US House Committee Hearings 1833-1964 [Bartle Ref Z1223 .A2 C54]

CIS Unpublished US Senate Committee Hearings 1823-1972 [Bartle Ref Z1223 .A2 C55]

CIS U.S. Congressional Committee Prints Index 1833-1969 [Bartle Ref Z 1223 Z7 C66]
Indexes by subjects, names, titles, congress, committees, bill numbers. Bartle does not own all prints indexed. Check BearCat for specific titles.

Internet Sources

House Committee Hearings

Senate Committee Hearings

Congressional Hearings on the Web (Documents Center)

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How to Find Reports and Documents

Locations of Reports and Documents

Call Numbers for Reports and Documents

House, Senate, and Executive Reports | Internet Sources for Reports

House, Senate, and Treaty Documents | Internet Sources for Documents

Print Finding Aids for Reports and Documents

Report and documents are first issued individually by each Congress and are later permanently bound into the numbered volumes of the U.S. Congressional Serial Set.

Locations of Reports and Documents

Note: Serial Set volumes must be used in the Library. Individual reports and documents prior to the 104th Congress that have not yet been bound into Serial Set volumes can be borrowed. All reports and selected documents beginning with the 104th Congress are available on the Internet (see Internet sources for reports and documents below).

Congress	Years	Location	Format
Prior to 103rd	Up to 1992	Reports and documents have been bound into the U.S. Congressional Serial Set located in storage (see holdings).	paper
103rd	1993-1994	If bound into Serial Set, Storage (see holdings); if not yet bound, Documents Collection (see SuDoc numbers).	paper
104th	1995-1996	If bound into Serial Set, Storage (see holdings); if not yet bound, Documents Collection (see SuDoc numbers). All reports and selected documents available on the Internet (see below).	paper
105th	1997-1998	Bound into Serial Set. Volumes located at very end of Documents Collection. Also available on the Internet (see below).	paper & electronic
106th	1999-2000	At bindery. Also available on the Internet (see below). Also available on the Internet (see below).	paper & electronic
107th	2001-2002	Available for use within the Library only. Ask at Bartle Reference Desk. Also available on the Internet (see below).	paper & electronic
108th	2003-2004	Available for use within the Library only. Ask at Bartle Reference Desk. Also available on the Internet (see below).	paper & electronic

Reports and documents through the 104th Congress that have not yet been bound into the U.S. Congressional Serial Set are located in Documents Collection at the following SuDoc numbers:

Senate Documents Y 1.1/3:
Senate Treaty Documents Y 1.1/4:
Senate Reports Y 1.1/5:
Senate Executive Reports Y 1.1/6:
House Documents Y 1.1/7:
House Reports Y 1.1/8:

House, Senate, and Executive Reports

A House or Senate Report is a committee's recommendation for the passage of a bill. Reports describe a bill's purpose, provide a detailed analysis of the bill, and explain how it changes existing law. Reports are numbered consecutively for each Congress and chamber, e.g., "H.Rpt. 105-1," "S.Rpt. 105-1."

In the Library Catalog do a keyword search: keyword AND house ! report or keyword AND senate ! report

Senate Executive Reports are issued by the Foreign Relations Committee recommending approval for a treaty. Also issued by other Senate committees recommending confirmation of nominations. First included in the Serial Set in 1979. Numbered consecutively for each Congress, e.g., "Exec. Rept. 105-1."

In the Library Catalog do a keyword search: keyword AND senate ! executive ! report

Internet Sources for Reports

Note: Retrieving reports from the web sites below is easiest if you have the report number. If the Library has cataloged the item you are looking for, you can find the report number in the Series field of the catalog record's long display.

Senate, House and Executive Reports (GPO Access)
Search Tip: Put all search phrases in double quotes. To search for House Report 105-1, select House Reports and enter "105-1" as your search term.Reports are available as ASCII text and PDF files. Graphics are omitted from the ASCII text version but are contained in the PDF files.

Committee Reports (Thomas: Legislative Information from the Library of Congress)
Browse the list of House and Senate reports by report number. Reports are also searchable by word/phrase, report number, bill number, and committee. Does not include Executive Reports. Search features are more user-friendly than GPO Access. Also provides full-text of reported bills and bill summary and status. Reports are available as ASCII text, html files, and PDF files.

House, Senate, and Treaty Documents

House and Senate Documents are non-congressional publications printed by order of Congress and include reports requested by Congress, Presidential communications, and agency documents. Numbered consecutively for each Congress and chamber, e.g., "H.Doc 105-1," "S. Doc. 105-1."

When searching the Library Catalog by keyword: :your keyword AND house ! document

Senate Treaty Documents Messages from the President to the Foreign Relations Committee transmitting treaty text prior to Senate advice and consent. First included in the Serial Set in 1979. Numbered consecutively for each Congress, e.g., "Treaty Doc. 105-1."

When searching the Library Catalog: keyword AND treaty ! doc

Internet Sources for Documents

Note: Retrieving Documents from this site is easiest if you have the document number. If you were referred to this page by the online catalog, you can find the document number in the series field of the catalog record's long display.

Senate, House and Treaty Documents (GPO Access)
Most House Documents and Senate Treaty Documents beginning with the 104th Congresses are available. However, very few Senate Documents are online. Documents are available as ASCII text and PDF files. Summary files are also available. Graphics are omitted from the ASCII text version but are contained in the PDF files. Search Tip: Put all searches in double quotes. To search for House Document 105-1, select House Documents and enter "105-1" as your search term.

Print Finding Aids for Reports and Documents

Use the following to locate the Serial Set volume of a known report or document number:

CIS U.S. Congressional Serial Set Index, 1789-1969 [Bartle Ref Z 1223. Z9 C65]
Primary index to the Serial Set. Includes a Subject and Keyword Index, Index by Reported Bill Number, and a sequential list of all the reports and documents in each Serial Set volume.

Numerical Lists and Schedule of Volumes of the [Bartle Ref Z 1223 .A15 1983]

U.S. Congressional Serial Set, 1933-1980

U.S. Congressional Serial Set Supplement, 1981-1982 [Bartle Ref Z1223 .A15]

U.S. Congressional Serial Set Catalog: Numerical [Bartle Ref Z1223 .A15]

Lists and Schedule of Volumes, 1983-1994

Schedules of Serial Set Volumes 1970 to current

U.S. Congressional Serial Set [J 66 .A2]
Bound compilation of House and Senate reports and documents. Use the Serial Set Index to find volumes containing specific reports or documents. For a list of holding see U.S. Congressional Serial Set at Bartle Library.

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Congressional Debate

Annals of Congress (1789 to 1824) and Storage

Register of Debates (1824-37) and Storage

Congressional Globe (1833-73) and Main Library J11 .G5

Congressional Record (1873- )and Congressional Record Index [storage; latest year Main J 11 .R5 and Docs Microfilm X 1.1 - Check Library Catalog for location of specific dates]
Floor proceedings, extensions of remarks, and daily digest (actions on bills, votes, Presidential action on legislation). First issue of each month includes summary of bills enacted, bills reported, votes, vetoes, and executive nominations.

Congressional Record via Thomas (1989- ) | Congressional Record Index via GPO Access (1983- )

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Congressional Votes

Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report [Bartle Ref JK 1 .C67]

Congressional Roll Call (91st-103rd Congresses) [Bartle Ref JK 1 .C6635]

Congressional Voting Guide [Bartle Ref JK 1051 .B67]
Members votes on major legislation, nominations, etc. from 1982-92.

Internet Sources

U.S. House of Representatives Roll Call Votes 101st Congress - ; (1990- )

Senate Votes 101st Congress - ; (1989- )

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How to Find Laws

Law Citations: If you know the subject, title, or bill number use these sources to find the law number:

CIS/Legislative Histories; CIS/Annual [Bartle Ref JK 1001 C79]
Shepard's Acts and Cases by Popular Names [Bartle Ref KF 80 .S5]
U.S. Code Congressional & Administrative News, Tables 4,5.9,10 [Bartle Ref K U5 U6]
Thomas: Public Laws by Law Number 93rd Congress (1973- )

Law Text: If you know the law number use these sources:

Slip Laws (first printing of new laws in pamphlet format) [Docs AE 2.110:]
United States Statutes at Large (compiled from Slip Laws) [Bartle KF 50 .U55]
United States Statutes at Large (laws from first 42 Congresses, 1789-1873)
U.S. Code Congressional & Administrative News (1969- ) [Bartle Ref K U5 U6]
Thomas: Public Laws by Law Number 93rd Congress (1973- )

United States Code (U.S.C.) [Docs Y 1.2/5:]
Official codification of the general and permanent U.S. laws in force. Laws are consolidated into fifty titles arranged by subject. Includes subject, name, and popular name index. Updated every six years with annual supplements containing changes to the laws since the last edition.

United States Code Annotated (U.S.C.A.) [Bartle Ref K U5 .A331]
Unofficial. Annotated with relevant court decisions after each code section and citations to regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations. Updated more frequently than the official U.S.C. above.

United States Code (GPO Access)
The database contains the text of laws in effect as of January 16, 1996. Any section that has been affected by laws passed during the 104th Congress, 2nd session, and during the 105th Congress includes a note identifying the public law that affected that section. Check database's "Helpful Hints" for more details on updating.

Law Resources
Annotated list from the Libraries' Virtual Reference Desk.

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Presidential Signing Statements

Congressional Record [J 11 .R5]

U.S. Code Congressional & Administrative News (1969- ) [Bartle Ref K U5 U6]

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents [General Periodical Display]
Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Register and contains statements, messages, and other Presidential materials released by the White House during the preceding week.

Internet Sources

Congressional Record (GPO Access)

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (1993- )
Begin search with phrase "statement on signing" and/or "remarks on signing" (always enclose phrases in quotes) followed by the title or title keywords from the law you are interested in. Example: "statement on signing" "balanced budget act"

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Using CIS Annual to Find Hearings, Prints, Reports, and Documents

CIS Annual (1970 - present) [Bartle Ref JK 1001 .C79
Comprehensive index to hearings, prints, reports, and documents. Consists of three separate annual volumes: CIS Index, CIS Abstracts, CIS Legislative Histories (1984- ). Prior to 1984 legislative histories are located at the back of the Abstracts volumes.

To find hearings, prints, reports, or documents by subject, named persons, title, or bill number:

See the CIS Index volume for Index of Subjects and Names, Index of Titles, Index of Bill Numbers. then use the accession number provided in the index entry (e.g., H623, S231) to locate the abstract in the Abstract volume.

To find hearings, prints, reports, or documents by public law number, see the CIS Legislative Histories volume For an abstract of the hearing, note the CIS abstract number, (e.g., CIS93:S521-39) and look it up in the Abstracts volume.

Federal Government Page | Main Government Page

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