Starting Points

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-... Washington, D.C.: 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, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Service.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref JK1021 .C6)

CQ Researcher (Plus Archive).
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)

Johnson, Charles W. How Our Laws Are Made. H.R. Doc 108-93. Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O., 2003.
Location: Internet (http://thomas.loc.gov/home/lawsmade.toc.html)
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Y 1.1/7:108-93)

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.

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

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)

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,

• Dates of Sessions of the Congress (current first)
• Dates of Sessions of the Congress (oldest first)
• Years of the 1st through 110th Congresses (1789-2008)

Committees

Committees are extremely important; most of the work of Congress is done in committees. The sources listed here contain information on the committees and the committee members and also on the members of Congress. 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.

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 from 1993 to present can be found in Thomas and GPO Access. Bills prior to 1993 (103rd Congress) can be difficult to locate. Bills are often reprinted in hearings; Senate bills are sometimes printed in the Congressional Record.

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. Note: LexisNexis Congressional has the full text of selected committee prints.

Another collection of research or background papers from the Congressional Research Service is Major Studies and Issue Briefs of the Congressional Research Service.

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) 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.

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.

Serial Set

The U.S. Congressional Serial Set is the permanent bound record of Congressional reports and documents as well as any executive reports 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. Reports and Documents from 1995 (104th Congress) to present are available on the Internet.

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.

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:

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 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)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfiche S366)
Location: Library Annex (Y 1.1/2:)

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. See the guide: United States Congressional Serial Set Holdings (including American State Papers) for holdings at the University of Delaware Library.

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 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).

Congress and the Nation. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Service.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (JK1021.C6)

Congress.org.
Location: Internet (http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/)

"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.

Congressional Directories.
Location: Internet (http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/fedlegis.html#cdd)

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: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Y 4.P 93/1: 1/)
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS194)

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: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc 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 Hearings On The Web.
Location: Internet (http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/hearings.html)

A resource guide to finding full text of hearings on the Internet. From the University of Michigan Documents Center.

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-. Daily and bound cumulation.
Location: Internet (via Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov) 1989- (daily)
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS1671) 1994- (daily)
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc X:) 1973- (bound)
Location: Library Annex (X:) 1873-1972 (bound)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 687) 1873-1972 (bound)
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS76447) 1999-2000 (bound)
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) 1985- [restricted to UD]
Location: Internet (via Century of Lawmaking http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwcr.html) 1873-1875 (bound)
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS8316) CR Index 1983-

The register of the proceedings and debates of Congress. Published first in a daily newsprint format (available online) 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 3-5 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 and as a bound piece in each Congressional Record bound volume set. The Daily Digest summarizes the day's floor and committee activities. Accompanied by the Congressional Record Index (CRI), which is published separately every two weeks for the daily issues and as several pieces in the bound Congressional Record. The Congressional Record Index (CRI) is available as a cumulative database in GPO Access.
The Congressional Record began publication in 1873 (43rd Cong). It was preceded by Annals of Congress, Register of Debates, and Congressional Globe.

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 Almanac (CQ Almanac Plus/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 Researcher (Plus Archive).
Location: Library Databases

In-depth non-partisan reports on various important topics. Covers 1923 to present.

CQ Weekly Report (Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report). Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, Inc.
Location: Library Databases
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. 1943-1990; 78th-101st Congress. Washington, DC: Library of Congress.
Location: Morris Library - Library Annex (LC 14.6:)

Continued by "Bill Summary and Status" in Thomas.

GPO Access.
Location: Internet (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html)

GPO Access is a collection of databases. These databases contain the 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.

House Documents. Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/cdocuments/index.html) 1995-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) 1995-
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Microfiche Y 1.1/7:) 1987-
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Y 1.1/7:) selected volumes only

Online: beginning with 1995 (104th Cong), House Documents are available on the Internet via GPO Access, in both text and PDF formats and via LexisNexis Congressional in text format.
Hardcopy: Documents from 1987 (100th Cong) to present are available in microfiche; a few volumes are in print. Earlier Documents have been republished in the Serial Set.

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 (U.S. Doc XJH:)
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS2564) 1991-
Location: Internet (via Century of Lawmaking http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwhj.html) 1789-1875

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.

House Reports. Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov) 1995-
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/creports/index.html) 1995-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) 1989-
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Microfiche Y 1.1/8:) 1987-
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Y 1.1/8:) selected volumes only

Online: beginning with 1995 (104th Cong), Reports are available on the Internet via Thomas and GPO Access, in both text and PDF formats. House Reports are available in LexisNexis Congressional in text format for 1989 (101st Cong) to present.
Hardcopy: Reports from 1987 (100th Cong) to present are available in microfiche; a few volumes are in print. Earlier Reports have been republished as in the Serial Set.

House of Representatives Web.
Location: Internet (http://www.house.gov)

LexisNexis Congressional.
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]

The database 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 many full-text documents, including bills and bill tracking (101st Congress, 1989-), laws (100th Congress, 1988-), testimony given in Congressional hearings (100th Congress, 1988-), the Congressional Record (99th Congress, 1985-), and House and Senate Documents and Reports (104th Congress, 1995-). 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: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc 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.

Numerical Lists and Schedule of Volumes (NLSV). (Title varies) Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref Z1223 .A115) 1963-1980 (88th-96th Cong)
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref Z1223 .A115 and Z1223 .A182) 1897-1962 (55th-87th Cong)
Location: Internet (http://www.llsdc.org/sch-v/) 1970- (91st Cong, 2nd sess)

These lists are used to find Serial Set volume numbers for House and Senate Documents and Reports. Needed for finding the Serial Set volume numbers for 1970 to present, which are not included in LexisNexis Congressional.

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 (U.S. Doc AE 2.114:)
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS4752)

Cumulates Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. GPO Access provides a searchable full-text version of the Public Papers from 1991 to present.

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 Access http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/cdocuments/index.html) 1995-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) 1995-
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Microfiche Y 1.1/3:) 1987-
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Y 1.1/3:) selected volumes only

Online: beginning with 1995 (104th Cong), Senate Documents are available on the Internet via GPO Access, in both text and PDF formats and via LexisNexis Congressional in text format.
Hardcopy: Documents from 1987 (100th Cong) to present are available in microfiche; a few volumes are in print. Earlier documents have been republished in the Serial Set.

Senate Executive Reports. Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/creports/index.html) 1995-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional)1989-
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Microfiche Y 1.1/6:)
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Y 1.1/6:)

Reports of the Committee on Foreign Relations relating to Treaties. Online: beginning with 1995 (104th Cong), Reports are available on the Internet via GPO Access, in both text and PDF formats. House Reports are available in LexisNexis Congressional in text format for 1989 (101st Cong) to present.
Hardcopy: Reports from 1987 (100th Cong) to present are available in microfiche; a few volumes are in print. Earlier Reports have been republished in the Serial Set.

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 (U.S. Doc XJS:)
Location: Internet (via Century of Lawmaking http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwsj.html) 1789-1875

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.

Senate Reports. Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov)1995-
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/creports/index.html) 1995-
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional) 1989-
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc microfiche Y 1.1/5:) 1987-
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Y 1.1/5:) selected volumes only

Online: beginning with 1995 (104th Cong), Reports are available on the Internet via Thomas and GPO Access, in both text and PDF formats. Reports for 1989 (101st Cong) are available via LexisNexis Congressional in text format.
Hardcopy: Reports from 1987 (100th Cong) to present are available in microfiche; a few volumes are in print. Earlier Reports have been republished in the Serial Set.

Senate Treaty Documents. Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Internet (via GPO Access http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/cdocuments/index.html)
Location: Internet (via Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov)
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Congressional)
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Microfiche Y 1.1/4:)

Senate Web.
Location: Internet (http://www.senate.gov)

Serial Set. Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Serial Set Area) 1915 (v. 6895)-
Location: Internet (http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS839) 1995-
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfiche S366) 1817-1915 (v. 1-v. 6894)
Location: Morris Library - Library Annex (Y 1.1/2:)
Location: Internet (http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwss.html) selected volumes

House and Senate Documents and Reports from the 15th Congress (v. 1) to present. Note: beginning with the 104th Congress (1995/1996), Senate and House Documents and Reports are available full text in GPO Access. Before 1817, similar materials were called The American State Papers (ASP).

For Serial Set volumes the Library owns, see: United States Congressional Serial Set Holdings. Note: Serial Set holdings are difficult to obtain in DELCAT.

Thomas.
Location: Internet (http://thomas.loc.gov) (http://congress.gov)

Full text of Public Laws and of all versions of House and Senate bills dating back to the 101st Congress (1989-1990). Includes Voting Records and the Bill Summary and Status database, which covers 93rd Congress (1973-1974) 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)

Equivalent to United States Statutes at Large, USCCAN makes available texts of laws shortly after being enacted. Includes legislative history of the laws. Covers 1959 (86th Cong.) to present. Includes information on Presidential actions.

U.S. Documents Collection.
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (print)
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. The SuDocs call number "Y 4" is reserved for Hearings and Prints from the Committees of Congress.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O.
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc AE 2.109:)
Location: Internet (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/index.html)

Contains addresses, statements, messages, executive orders, proclamations and other Presidential materials released by the White House. Published every Monday. Cumulated by Public Papers of the Presidents.

White House Web.
Location: Internet (http://www.whitehouse.gov)

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