Congressional Publications:
A Research Guide
Contents: Starting Points | Committees | Bills | Committee Prints | Hearings and Testimonies | Reports and Documents | Serial Set | Voting Records and Debates | Presidential Action | Sources Listed in This Guide
Starting Points
- Biographical Directory of
the United States Congress, 1774-... Washington,
DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS69614)
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref JK1010 .A5)
Location: Internet (http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS21383) database - The Biographical Directory is available as a PDF file and also as a searchable database. The text of the biographies are the same. The database version has additional information including pictures of Senators and a Guide to Research Collections.
- Congress and
the Nation. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly Service.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref JK1021 .C6)
- CQ
(Congressional Quarterly) Researcher.
Location: Library Databases - In-depth non-partisan reports on various important topics. Covers 1923 to present.
-
Dove, Robert B. Enactment
of a Law.
Location: Internet (http://thomas.loc.gov/home/enactment/enactlawtoc.html)
-
Sullivan, John V.
How Our Laws Are Made. H.R. Doc 110-49. Washington, DC: U.S.
G.P.O., 2007.
Location: Internet (http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS103851)
Location: Library Annex - U.S. Documents (Y 1.1/7:110-49)
-
Legislative
Branch Resources on GPO Access.
Location: Internet (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/legislative.html) - Excellent resource page listing all the legislative branch full-text publications available through GPO Access.
- Major Studies and Issue Briefs of
the Congressional Research Service. Washington, DC: Library of Congress,
Congressional Research Service. Annual.
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 404)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 404) Index shelf - Microfilm copies of the background reports and analyses written by the Congressional Research Service for the Members of Congress. Collection covers reports issued 1916-present. Former title: Major Studies of the Legislative Reference Service. Some of the reports were published as Congressional Committee Prints and are indexed in LexisNexis Congressional (library database).
-
Robinson, Judith Schiek. Tapping the Government Grapevine: The User Friendly
Guide to U.S. Government Publications. 3rd ed. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press,
1998.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref J83 .R62 1998) Reference Desk
-
Sessions
of Congress.
Location: Internet (http://www.senate.gov/reference/common/generic/Sessions.htm) - A resource page containing many interesting lists of information about Congressional sessions, including,
Committees
Committees are extremely important; most of the work of Congress is done in committees. These sources contain information on the committees and the committee members. Some may include links or information on constituent access by e-mail or Web. Some sources includes ratings of members of Congress on particular issues.
| Sources for Committee information: | |
| LexisNexis Congressional | Congressional Directories |
| Congressional Directory | Congressional Pictorial Directory |
| Thomas | Congressional Staff Directory |
| Senate Web | CQ Weekly Report |
| House of Representatives Web | Project Vote Smart |
| Almanac of American Politics | Historical: Committees in the U.S. Congress |
| Congress.org | Historical: Congress and the Nation |
| Historical: CQ Almanac | |
Bills
Bills (and resolutions) are the usual form in which legislation is proposed. More than 85% of bills introduced are never passed; they "die in committee." Bills prior to 1989 (101st Congress) can be difficult to locate. Bills are often reprinted in hearings; Senate bills are sometimes printed in the Congressional Record. Bill summaries can be useful when the text of the bill cannot be found.
| Sources for Bill Summary and Status: | |
| Thomas: Bill Summary & Status 1973 (93rd Cong)- | Historical: Major Legislation of the Congress 1980-1992 (96th-102nd Cong) |
| History of Bills: GPO FDsys 1983 (98th Cong)- | Historical: Congressional Index (CCH) 1947-1998 (80th Cong-105th Cong) |
| LexisNexis Congressional 1989 (101st Cong)- | Historical: Digest of Public General Bills 1943-1990 (78th-101st Cong) |
| Sources for Full Text of Bills: | |
| Thomas 1989 (101st Cong)- | LexisNexis Congressional 1989 (101st Cong)- |
| GPO FDsys 1993 (103rd Cong)- | Congressional Record (Senate only) |
Committee Prints
Committees may commission special research papers prior to deciding on a bill. These "Committee Prints" provide highly valuable situation reports, statistics, briefings, background information, and legislative analyses. Some of these reports are written by Congressional staff and some are written by the Library of Congress' Congressional Research Service.
Another collection of research or background papers from the Congressional Research Service is Major Studies and Issue Briefs of the Congressional Research Service.
| Source to identify & locate Committee Prints: | |
| DELCAT and WorldCat Local | LexisNexis Congressional |
| Locating Committee Prints: | |
| GPO FDsys 1997 (105th Cong)- | Major Studies and Issue Briefs |
| LexisNexis Congressional 1993 (103rd Cong)- | Congressional Research Service Reports (resource page) |
Hearings / Testimonies
A committee holds hearings to determine facts, to sample opinion, and to carry out its oversight functions. A hearing on a bill will usually reprint the bill. Hearings are not held for all legislation; not all hearings are published.
The testimony of the hearing (available through LexisNexis Congressional 1988-) is the transcript or prepared text of the witnesses and the transcript of the question and answer session. The published record of the hearing includes the transcripts and copies of any exhibits and materials introduced. Note: testimonies are available much more quickly than the published hearing.
| Sources to identify and locate Hearings: | |
| DELCAT and WorldCat Local | LexisNexis Congressional |
| GPO FDsys selected hearings 1991 (102nd Cong)- | Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP) 1976- |
| Committee Hearings (resource page) | |
| Locating Hearings: | ||||
| Date | Congress | Microforms (arranged by CIS accession number) |
U.S. Documents Microfiche (arranged by Y 4 SuDoc call numbers) |
Annex U.S. Documents (arranged by Y 4 SuDoc call numbers) |
| Prior to 1975 | Prior to 94th Cong | Yes | ||
| 1975-1981 | 95th Cong to 97th Cong, 1st sess | Microfiche no. 2100 | Yes | |
| 1982- | 97th Cong, 2nd sess- | Yes | ||
| And: Historical set 1833 to 1952 | 23rd to 82nd Congresses | Microfiche no. 2075 | ||
| Unpublished House Hearings and Unpublished Senate Hearings | Microfiche various call numbers | |||
Reports and Documents
Reports: A bill is reported from the committee to the floor of the Congress. The Report describes the bill, summarizes committee opinion, and discusses issues. Bills are seldom reported unfavorably; the bill is simply left to "die in committee." (It is estimated that about 85% of bills die in committee.) Reports are usually considered the best evidence of "legislative intent."
Documents: Various types of materials are ordered to be published as House or Senate Documents. Included are: Presidential messages, budget amendments, vetoes; annual reports of federal agencies; reference materials; miscellaneous reports from quasi-governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations (such as, the Girl Scouts of America).
Reports and Documents are first published individually and later republished in the bound Serial Set. Expect a 3 to 5 year time lag before publication in the Serial Set. Note: LexisNexis Congressional does not provide the Serial Set volume number for reports and documents published from 1970 to present. Use the Numerical Lists and Schedule of Volumes (NLSV) to identify the volume number.
| Sources to identify Reports and Documents: | |
| DELCAT and WorldCat Local | Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP) 1976- |
| LexisNexis Congressional | |
| Locating Reports: | |
| DELCAT and WorldCat Local | LexisNexis Congressional 1990 (101st)- |
| GPO FDsys: Reports 1995 (104th Cong)- | Thomas 1995 (104th Cong)- |
| Retrospective (prior to 2005): republished in Serial Set | |
| Locating Documents: | |
| DELCAT and WorldCat Local | LexisNexis Congressional 1989 (101st)- |
| GPO FDsys Documents: 1995 (104th Cong)- | |
| Retrospective (prior to 2005): republished in Serial Set | |
Serial Set
The U.S. Congressional Serial Set is the permanent bound record of Congressional Reports and Documents as well as any Executive Reports and Documents submitted to Congress. The Serial Set also contains miscellaneous reports from quasi-governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations such as, the Boy Scouts of America. Expect a 3 to 5 year time lag before Reports and Documents are published in the Serial Set.
Serial Set volume numbers begin with the year 1817 (15th Congress). Prior to the Serial Set, the same types of papers are called The American State Papers (ASP). ASP volume numbers begin with zero. Due to the publishing history of the Serial Set, few libraries have a complete set of the bound volumes. Note: Serial Set holdings are difficult to obtain in DELCAT; use the guide United States Congressional Serial Set Holdings (at the University of Delaware Library).
| Identifying Serial Set (and American State Papers) volumes: | |
| LexisNexis Congressional Note: from 1970 to present, does not provide Serial Set volume numbers |
Numerical Lists and Schedules of Volumes (needed to identify Serial Set volume numbers for reports and documents from 1970 to present.) |
| Locating Serial Set (and American State Papers) volumes: | |
| U.S. Documents Serial Set Area 1915 (v. 6895; 64th Cong)- | Microforms (Microfiche S366) 1817-1915 (v.1-v. 6894; 15th-64th Cong) |
| Library Annex 1817-1915 (v.1-v. 6894; 15th-64th Cong) | United States Congressional Serial Set Holdings (guide for University of Delaware Library) |
Voting Records and Debates (Floor Action)
Debates and votes occur on the floor of Congress. Votes are taken in different ways, such as, a final tally, a roll call vote, or a voice vote:
| Sources for Votes: | |
Final Tallies |
Roll-Call Votes |
| Congressional Record | LexisNexis Congressional |
| House Journal | Thomas |
| Senate Journal | Congressional Record |
| CQ Weekly Report | |
| House Web | |
| Senate Web | |
| Historical: CQ Almanac | |
Presidential Action
If passed by both chambers, the bill is transmitted to the President for veto or for signature into law (statutory law). The President has 10 days to take action. Veto messages are transmitted to Congress and are printed as either House or Senate Documents.
| Sources for Presidential action: | |
| Compilation of Presidential Documents (Daily and Weekly) | U.S. Code Congressional & Adminstrative News |
| CQ Weekly Report | LexisNexis Congressional |
| White House Web | Congressional Record |
| House Journal | Historical: CQ Almanac |
| Senate Journal | Historical: Public Papers of the Presidents |
Sources Listed in This Guide
- Almanac of American Politics. Washington,
DC: Barone & Co. Annual.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref JK1010 .A66) Latest ed.
Location: Morris Library (JK1010 .A66) Earlier eds.
- American State Papers. Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (Serial Set Area Y 1.1/2:)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfiche S366)
Location: Library Annex (Y 1.1/2:) - Compilation of House and Senate Documents and Reports from the first fourteen Congresses,
v. 01-v. 038 (1789-1823). Any original volumes are in the Library Annex. Reprints
are in the U.S. Doc Serial Set area.
For American State Papers volumes the Library owns, see: United States Congressional Serial Set Holdings (at the University of Delaware Library). Note: ASP and Serial Set holdings are difficult to obtain in DELCAT; use this webpage instead.
- Annals
of Congress: The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United
States. (1789-1824). Washington, DC: Gales and Seaton, published from 1834-1856.
Location: Internet (via Century of Lawmaking http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwac.html)
Location: Library Annex (X:) - The Annals of Congress compiles accounts of the debates and proceedings of Congress, covering the years 1789 to 1824 (1st-18th Cong). Followed by Register of Debates, Congressional Globe, and Congressional Record.
- Catalog
of U.S. Government Publications (CGP).
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://catalog.gpo.gov/) - GCP is the comprehensive catalog of government publications from the Government Printing Office. Covers 1976 to present. (Prior title: Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications.)
- CIS US
Congressional Committee Hearings.
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfiche no. 2075) - Compilation of Hearings; coverage begins in 1833. Library holdings are 1833-1952, For assistance in using this complex set, consult the guide Congressional Committee Hearings: Using the Historical Hearings Microfiche Set.
- CIS Index. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service. Annual. 1970-.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF49 .C63) - Indexes Congressional Documents, Reports, Hearings, and Committee prints. This information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the library has the CIS microfiche set containing hearings from 1975-1981 (Microfiche no. 2100).
-
CIS Index to US Senate Executive Documents Reports Covering Documents and Reports Not Printed in the U.S. Serial Set, 1817-1969. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1987.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C57x 1987) - This information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional.
- CIS Index to Unpublished US House of Representative Committee Hearings, 1833-1936. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1988.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref Z1223 .Z7 C47 1988) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished US House of Representatives Committee Hearings, 1833-1936. Microforms (Microfiche no. 1961).
-
CIS Index to Unpublished US House of Representatives Committee Hearings, 1937-1946. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1990.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C54 1990) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished U.S. House of Representatives Committee Hearings. Microforms (Microfiche no. 2025).
-
CIS Index to Unpublished US House of Representatives Committee
Hearings, 1947-1954. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1992.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C54 1992) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished U.S. House of Representatives Committee Hearings, 1947-1954. Microforms (Microfiche no. 2027).
-
CIS Index to Unpublished US House of Representatives Committee
Hearings, 1955-1958. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1994.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C55x 1994) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished U.S. House of Representatives Committee Hearings, 1947-1954. Microforms (Microfiche no. 2037).
-
CIS Index to Unpublished US House of Representatives Committee
Hearings, 1959-1964. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1997.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C54 1997) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished U.S. House of Representatives Committee Hearings, 1947-1954. Microforms (Microfiche no. 2076).
-
CIS Index to Unpublished US House of Representatives Committee Hearings:
1965-1968. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1999.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C54 1999) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished US House Committee Hearings: 1965-1968. Microforms (Microfiche no. 2081).
- CIS Index to Unpublished US Senate Committee Hearings: 18th Congress-88th Congress, 1823-1964. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1986.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C55 1986) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished US Senate Committee Hearings: 18th Congress to 88th Congress, 1823-1964. Microforms (Microfiche no. 2029).
-
CIS Index to Unpublished US Senate Committee Hearings: 89th Congress-90th Congress, 1965-1968. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1989.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C54 1989) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished US Senate Committee Hearings. Microforms (Microfiche no. 2026).
-
CIS Index to Unpublished US Senate Committee Hearings: 91st Congress-92nd Congress, 1969-1972. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1995.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C55 1995) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished U.S. Senate Committee Hearings. Microforms (Microfiche no. 2074). Note: this set includes a supplement covering 1913-1968 publications, not previously listed.
-
CIS Index to Unpublished US Senate Committee Hearings: 93rd Congress-94th Congress, 1973-1976. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1998.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C55 1998) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished U.S. Senate Committee Hearings. Microforms (Microfiche no. 2077).
-
CIS Index to Unpublished US Senate Committee Hearings, 95th Congress-96th Congress,
1977-1980. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 2001.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF40 .C55 2001) - The indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the hearings are in microfiche: Unpublished U.S. Senate Committee Hearings. Microforms (Microfiche no. 2093).
- CIS US Congressional Committee Hearings Index, 1789-1969. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF25 .C257) - Indexes hearings. This indexing information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the University of Delaware Library has some hearings in microfiche and some in print; consult the Locating hearings section of this guide to determine format and location. The Library also has the CIS Historical Hearing microfiche collection containing full-text hearings from 1833 to 1952; Microforms (Microfiche no. 2075). For assistance in using this complex set, consult the guide called Congressional Committee Hearings: Using the Historical Hearings Microfiche Set (1833-1969).
- CIS US Congressional Committee Prints Index:
From the Earliest Publications Through 1969. Bethesda, MD: Congressional
Information Service, 1980.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref Z1223 .Z7 C66 1980) - Indexes committee prints. This information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional.
- CIS U.S. Serial Set Index, 1789-1969. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service, 1975-.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref J74 .C65 1975) - Indexes the reports and documents in the Serial Set. This information is also available in LexisNexis Congressional. Related: the University of Delaware Library has the full-text microfiche covering the American State Papers and the Serial Set to the 64th Congress (1789-1915) Microforms (Microfiche S366).
- Committee
Hearings.
Location: Internet (http://www.lib.umich.edu/government-documents-center/explore/browse/federal-government+legislative-branch+legislation+committee-hearings/448/search/) - A resource guide to finding full text of hearings on the Internet. From the University of Michigan Documents Center.
- Committees in the U.S. Congress, 1947-1992. By Garrison Nelson, Clark H Bensen, and Mary T Mitchell. Vol. 1-2. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1993.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (JK1029 .N45 1993)
- Compilation
of Presidential Documents.
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CPD) 1993- - The Compilation of Presidential Documents collection on GPO FDsys consists of the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents, DCPD (1/20/09-) and the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, WCPD (ceased 1/20/2009). These are the official presidential materials released by the White House Press Secretary. Examples of publications: addresses, speeches, statements, messages, executive orders, proclamations, and radio addresses. The Daily or Weekly documents are cumulated in the Public Papers of the Presidents. Expect a 3-4 year time lag before the cumulation is available.
-
Congress and the Nation. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly Service.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (JK1021.C6)
-
Congress.org.
Location: Internet (http://www.congress.org/) - "A complete and reliable directory of information about the members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate." Includes: Congressional Directory, Find Your Member (a zip code lookup), and Communicating with Congress.
-
Congress
| Directories.
Location: Internet (http://www.lib.umich.edu/government-documents-center/explore/browse/federal-government+legislative-branch+members-of-congress+directories/454/search/)
- Congressional
Directory (Official Congressional Directory). Washington, DC:
U.S. G.P.O. Biennial.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref JK1011 .A1) Latest ed. at Reference Desk
Location: Library Annex - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Y 4.P 93/1: 1/)
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CDIR)
- Congressional
Globe. (1833-1873) Permanent ed.
Also called Red ed. Washington, DC: Blair & Rives, published 1834-1873.
Location: Internet (via Century of Lawmaking http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwcg.html)
Location: Library Annex (X:)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 686)
Location: Library Annex (X: 23-42) Index - Provides summaries of the debates and proceedings in Congress, covering 1833-1873 (23rd Cong- 42nd Cong). Initially, the summaries provided in the Globe were sketchy. The summaries became more extensive beginning in 1851 (32nd Cong). This publication overlaps the time covered in the preceding title Register of Debates. The Congressional Globe was followed by the Congressional Record.
- Congressional Index (CCH). Chicago: Commerce Clearing House.
Location: Morris Library (J69 .C65) - Library has 80th-105th Congresses (1947/1948-1997/1998).
-
Congressional Pictorial
Directory.
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS11679)
- Congressional Record.
Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O. 1873-. Bound cumulation.
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Reference (X:) 1973 (93rd Cong)-
Location: Library Annex (X:) 1873-1972 (43rd-92nd Cong)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 687) 1873-1972 (43rd-92nd Cong)
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CRECB) 1999-2002 (99th-107th Cong)
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CRI) Congressional Record Index 1983 (98th Cong)-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) [restricted to UD] 1985 (99th Cong)-
Location: Internet (via Century of Lawmaking http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwcr.html) 1873-1875 (43rd Cong-44th, 1st Sess)
- The register of the proceedings and debates of Congress. Published
first in a daily newsprint format and then republished as
a bound set. A "volume" covers one session of one Congress; it may
consist of 30 or more "pieces." Expect a 5-7 year time lag before
publication of the bound set. Selected Senate bills are reprinted in the Record when
the bill is introduced. A feature called
"Daily Digest" appears in the back of the last piece or as
a separate piece in each
Congressional Record bound volume set; began in
1947. The Daily Digest summarizes the day's floor and committee activities.
Accompanied by the Congressional
Record Index (CRI),
which is published as several
pieces in the bound Congressional Record. The
Congressional Record Index (CRI) in print includes
a section on History of Bills and Resolutions. History
of Bills is a separate cumulative database collection in FDsys.
The Congressional Record began publication in 1873 (43rd Cong). It was preceded by Annals of Congress, Register of Debates, and Congressional Globe.
- Congressional Record.
Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O. 1873-. Daily ed.
Location: Internet (via Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov/home/r111query.html) 1989 (101st Cong)-
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CREC) 1994 (103rd Cong)-
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CRI) Congressional Record Index 1983 (98th Cong)-
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=HOB) History of Bills 1983 (98th Cong)- - The Congressional Record is a record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. Later, the daily issues are republished as a bound set. A "volume" covers one session of one Congress. Expect a 5-7 year time lag before publication of the bound set. Selected Senate bills are reprinted in the Record when the bill is introduced. A feature called "Daily Digest" is published at the back of each daily issue. The Daily Digest summarizes the day's floor and committee activities. The Daily ed. is accompanied by the Congressional Record Index (CRI), which is published separately every two weeks. The Congressional Record Index (CRI) daily ed. includes a section on History of Bills and Resolutions. History of Bills is a separate cumulative database collection in FDsys.
- Congressional Staff Directory. Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs-Merrill Co.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref JK1012 .C65) Latest at Reference Desk
Location: Morris Library (JK1012 .C65) Earlier eds.
- CQ (Congresssional
Quarterly) Almanac. Washington, DC:
Congressional Quarterly, Inc. Annual.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref JK1 .C66) Latest 3 eds.
Location: Morris Library (JK1 .C66) Earlier eds. - Published at the end of a Congressional term. This volume summarizes the information from the issues of Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report and provides analysis.
- CQ (Congresssional
Quarterly) Researcher.
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD] - In-depth non-partisan reports on various important topics. Covers 1923 to present.
- CQ
(Congresssional Quarterly) Weekly Report.
Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, Inc.
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref JK1 .C668) Latest at Reference Desk
Location: Morris Library (JK1 .C668) Earlier yrs. - Especially useful: Browse by Topic, "Inside Congress," January issues. A volume called Congressional Quarterly Almanac/CQ Almanac Plus is published at the end of a Congressional term.
- Digest of Public General Bills and Resolutions (Bill
Digest). Washington, DC: Library of Congress.
Location: Morris Library - Library Annex (LC 14.6:) 1943-1990 (78th-101st Cong) - Continued by "Bill Summary and Status" in Thomas.
- Early American
Imprints, 1639-1800.
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD] - Contains full text of many Congressional publications including journals, documents, reports, and broadsides. Search suggestion: select the "Author" tab, go to United States, select an appropriate term. If the search results are large, use the "search within" option.
- GPO
Access and GPO
FDsys.
Location: Internet (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/)
Location: Internet (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/) - GPO Access is a collection of databases, comprising full text of some of the most frequently used government information sources. Among the titles available are: Bills, Public Laws, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, Congressional Record, Congressional reports, Congressional documents, United States Code, Economic Indicators, Budget of the United States, Economic Report of the President, Supreme Court Decisions (1937-1975), and GAO Reports. Note: the GPO Access databases are being moved to a new platform: GPO FDsys.
- History of Bills.
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=HOB)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 3) in Congressional Record Index 1954-1968 (83rd-90th Cong) - The History of Bills lists legislative actions on bills reported in the Congressional Record. In print it is part of the Congressional Record Index. In GPO FDsys it is a separate cumulative collection.
- House Documents. Washington,
DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CDOC) 1995 (104th Cong)-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) [restricted to UD]
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Microfiche (Y 1.1/7:) 1987- - Hardcopy: Documents from 1987 (100th Cong) to present are available in
microfiche. Documents prior to approximately
2005 have been republished in the Serial
Set.
The Congressional Documents Collection in GPO FDsys includes House Documents, Senate Documents, and Senate Treaty Documents. Documents are available in both text and PDF formats. Documents are indexed in LexisNexis Congressional 1789 (1st Cong) to present and are available fulltext 1995 (104th Cong) to present. Documents may be available in Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 database.
- House Journal (Journal
of the House of Representatives of the United States). Washington, DC:
U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Reference (XJH:) 1953 (83rd Cong)-
Location: Library Annex - U.S. Documents (Z 3.5:) 1789-1814 (1st Cong-13th Cong, 3rd Sess)
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS2564) 1991-1999 (102nd-106th Cong)
Location: Internet (via Century of Lawmaking http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwhj.html) 1789-1875 (1st-44th Cong) - The official record of the House; includes minutes of daily sessions and a record of legislative action, motions, and votes. For text of floor debates, see the Congressional Record. The Journal contains a "History of Bills and Resolutions" section, arranged by bill number. Contains indexes by title, subject, and sponsor. This information is more detailed than the section in the Congressional Record. Issues may be available in Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 database.
- House Reports. Washington,
DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov) 1995-
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CRPT) 1995 (104th Cong)-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) [restricted to UD]
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Microfiche (Y 1.1/8:) 1987- - Hardcopy: Reports from 1987 (100th Cong) to present are available in microfiche.
Reports prior to approximately 2005 have been republished in
the Serial Set.
The Congressional Reports Collection in GPO FDsys includes House Reports, Senate Repors, and Senate Executive Reports. The collection beginns with 1995 (104th Cong). Reports are available in both text and PDF formats. Thomas provides information about Reports and links to GPO FDsys for fulltext. Reports are indexed in LexisNexis Congressional 1789 (1st Cong) to present and are available fulltext 1990 (101st Cong) to present. Reports may be available in Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 database.
-
House of Representatives Web.
Location: Internet (http://www.house.gov)
- LexisNexis
Congressional.
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD] - LexisNexis Congressional provides comprehensive coverage of United States
legislative information. It provides indexing and detailed abstracts for
congressional publications from 1789 to present, including House and Senate
Documents and Reports (the Serial Set).
It provides full-text of many publications, including bills 1989 (101st Cong)–, laws 1988 (100th Cong)–, testimony given in Congressional hearings 1988 (100th Cong)–, the Congressional Record 1985 (99th Cong)–, and House and Senate Documents 1995 (104th Cong)- and Reports 1990 (101st Cong)–.
Legislative Histories cover 1999 (106th Cong)– and includes histories of selected laws 1969–1998 (91st-105th Cong). Bill Tracking covers 1989 (101st Cong) to present. Note: LexisNexis Congressional contains the same content as the print indexes listed above; titled CIS Index to... The Library has many of the microfiche sets indexed in LexisNexis Congressional, including House Unpublished Hearings and Senate Unpublished Hearings.
- Major Legislation of the Congress. Washington, DC: Library of Congress. Annual from 1980-1992.
Location: Library Annex - U.S. Documents (LC 14.18:)
- Major Studies and Issue Briefs of the Congressional Research Service.
Washington, DC: Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service. Annual.
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 404)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 404) Index shelf - Microfilm copies of the background reports and analyses written by the Congressional Research Service for the Members of Congress. Collection covers reports issued 1916-present. Former title: Major Studies of the Legislative Reference Service. Some of the reports were published as Congressional Committee Prints and are covered in LexisNexis Congressional.
- Numerical
Lists and Schedule of Volumes (NLSV). Index
to the Reports and Documents... (Title
varies). Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Z1223 .A114) 1897/99, 1903/5, 1907-33 (55th, 58th, 60th-72nd Cong)
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Z1223 .A115) 1933-80 (73rd-96th Cong)
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Z1223 .A182) 1981-98 (97th-105th Cong)
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/numerical.html) 1957 (85th Cong)- - The Numerical Lists (title varies) are used to find Serial Set volume numbers for House and Senate Documents and Reports. (Note: LexisNexis Congressional provides Serial Set volume numbers for Documents and Reports prior to 1970, but not from 1970 to present.)
-
Project Vote Smart.
Location: Internet (http://votesmart.org/index.htm)
- Public Papers of the Presidents of the United
States.
Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Reference (AE 2.114:) 1945-
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS4752) 1991- - Cumulates Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. GPO Access provides a searchable full-text version of the Public Papers from 1991 (102nd Cong) to present. Expect a 3-4 year time lag before the cumulation is available. Public Papers start in 1945; Hoover, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush. GPO Access collection starts in 1991; George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush.
-
Register
of Debates in Congress. (1824-1837). Washington, DC:
Gales and Seaton, published 1825-1837.
Location: Internet (via Century of Lawmaking http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwrd.html)
Location: Library Annex (X:)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 685)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfiche no. 2050) - The Register of Debates provides summaries of the debates and proceedings in the Congress, covering 1824-37 (18th Cong, 2nd Sess-25th Cong, 1st Sess). This publication was preceded by Annals of Congress: The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States and overlaps years of coverage with the succeeding publication Congressional Globe.
-
Senate Documents. Washington,
DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CDOC) 1995 (104th Cong)-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) [restricted to UD]
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Microfiche (Y 1.1/3:) 1987- - Hardcopy: Documents from 1987 (100th Cong) to present are available in
microfiche. Documents prior to approximately 2005 have been republished in
the Serial Set.
The Congressional Documents Collection in GPO FDsys includes House Documents, Senate Documents, and Senate Treaty Documents. Documents are available in both text and PDF formats. Documents are indexed in LexisNexis Congressional 1789 (1st Cong) to present and are available fulltext 1995 (104th Cong) to present. Documents may be available in Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 database.
- Senate Executive Reports.
Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CRPT) 1995 (104th Cong)-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) [restricted to UD]
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Microfiche (Y 1.1/6:) - Hardcopy: Reports from 1987 (100th Cong) to present are available in microfiche.
Reports prior to approximately 2005 have been republished in the Serial
Set.
Executive reports are Reports of the Committee on Foreign Relations relating to Treaties. The Congressional Reports Collection in GPO FDsys includes House Reports, Senate Repors, and Senate Executive Reports. Reports are available in both text and PDF formats. Thomas provides information about Reports and links to GPO FDsys for fulltext. Reports are indexed in LexisNexis Congressional 1789 (1st Cong) to present and are available fulltext 1990 (101st Cong) to present.
- Senate Journal (Journal
of the Senate of the United States of America). Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Reference (XJS:) 1953 (83rd Cong)-
Location: Library Annex - U.S. Documents (Z3.5:) 1814-1816 (13th Cong, 3rd Sess-14th Cong, 2nd Sess)
Location: Internet (via Century of Lawmaking http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwsj.html) 1789-1875 (1st-44th Cong) - The official record of the Senate; includes minutes of daily sessions and a record of legislative action, motions, and votes. For text of floor debates, see the Congressional Record. The Journal contains a History of Bills and Resolutions section, arranged by bill number. Contains indexes by title, subject, and sponsor. The History section is more detailed than the section in the Congressional Record. Issues may be available in Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 database.
- Senate Reports.
Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov) 1995 (104th Cong)-
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CRPT) 1995 (104th Cong)-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) [restricted to UD] 1990 (101st Cong)-
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents microfiche (Y 1.1/5:) 1987- - Hardcopy: Reports from 1987 (100th Cong) to present are available in microfiche.
Reports prior to approximately 2005 have been republished in the Serial
Set.
The Congressional Reports Collection in GPO FDsys includes House Reports, Senate Repors, and Senate Executive Reports. Reports are available in both text and PDF formats. Thomas provides information about Reports and links to GPO FDsys for fulltext. Reports are indexed in LexisNexis Congressional 1789 (1st Cong) to present and are available fulltext 1990 (101st Cong) to present. Reports may be available in Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 database.
- Senate Treaty Documents.(Congressional
Documents online collection). Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CRPT) 1995 (104th Cong)-
Location: Internet (via Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov)
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) [restricted to UD]
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Microfiche (Y 1.1/4:) - The Congressional Documents Collection in GPO FDsys includes House Documents, Senate Documents, and Senate Treaty Documents. Reports are available in both text and PDF formats. Thomas provides information about Reports and links to GPO FDsys for fulltext. Documents are indexed in LexisNexis Congressional 1789 (1st Cong) to present and are available fulltext 1995 (104th Cong) to present.
-
Senate Web.
Location: Internet (http://www.senate.gov)
-
Serial Set. Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (Serial Set Area) 1915 (v. 6895; 64th Cong)-
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CDOC) Documents 1995 (104th Cong)-
Location: Internet (via GPO FDsys http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collection.action?collectionCode=CRPT) Reports 1995 (104th Cong)-
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfiche S366) 1817-1915 (v. 1-v. 6894; 15th-64th Cong)
Location: Morris Library - Library Annex and Annex Special Collections (Y 1.1/2:) 1817-1915 (v. 1-v. 6894; 15th-64th Cong) See webpage for holdings
Location: Internet (http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwss.html) selected volumes - Compilation of House and Senate Documents and Reports from 1817 (v.
1; 15th Cong)
to present. GPO FDsys provides full text of Senate
and House Documents and Reports 1995 (104th Cong) to present. Before 1817,
similar materials were called The
American State Papers (ASP). A few Serial Set volumes are available
as Google Books.
For Serial Set volumes the Library owns, see: United States Congressional Serial Set Holdings (at the University of Delaware Library). Note: Serial Set holdings are difficult to obtain in DELCAT; use this webpage instead.
-
Thomas.
Location: Internet (http://thomas.loc.gov) - Full text of Public Laws and of all versions of House and Senate bills from 1989 (101st Cong) to present. Includes Voting Records and the Bill Summary and Status (BSS) database, which covers 1973 (93rd Cong) to present. Also provides full text of the Congressional Record, Congressional Reports, important historical documents, and links to other sites.
- Unpublished U.S. House of Representatives Committee Hearings. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service.
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfiche no. 1961; 2025; 2027; 2037; 2076; 2081) - The Library has these full text collections of unpublished hearings: 1833-1936 (Microfiche no. 1961), 1937-1946 (Microfiche no. 2025), 1947-1954 (Microfiche no. 2027), 1955-1958 (Microfiche no. 2037), 1959-1964 (Microfiche no. 2076), and 1965-1968 (Microfiche no. 2081).
- Unpublished U.S. Senate Committee Hearings. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Information Service.
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfiche no. 2029, 2026, 2074, 2077, 2093) - The Library has these full text collections of unpublished hearings: 1823-1964 (Microfiche no. 2029); 1965-1968 (Microfiche no. 2026); 1969-1972 (Microfiche no. 2074); 1973-1976 (Microfiche no. 2077); and 1977-1980 (Microfiche no. 2093).
- U.S. Code Congressional and Administrative News (U.S.C.C.A.N.). St. Paul, MN: West Publishing.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref KF48) - A compilation of laws in chronological order. Includes legislative history of the laws and information on Presidential actions. Covers 1959 (86th Cong) to present.
- U.S. Documents Collection.
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Reference
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents Microfiche
Location: Library Annex - The Morris Library has been a Congressionally designated Federal Depository Library since 1897. The print collection is arranged by the Superintendent of Documents (SuDocs) classification system, which reflects the agency that released the publication. There is a large collection of publications in microfiche, also arranged by SuDocs call numbers. Many of the publications in the U.S. Documents collection are listed in DELCAT, but there are many (pre-1994) which are not. SuDocs call number "Y 4" indicates Hearings and Prints from the Committees of Congress. The SuDocs call number "X"indicates the Congressional Record and related publications.
- Using the Historical Hearings
Microfiche Set: CIS US Congressional Committee Hearings (1833-1969).
Location: Internet (http://www2.lib.udel.edu/subj/godc/resguide/conhear/conhear.htm)
-
White House Web.
Location: Internet (http://www.whitehouse.gov)
This page is maintained by Rebecca Knight, Reference Department.
Version: 10/2009
Last modified: 10/03/09
Version: 10/2009
Last modified: 10/03/09
