Government Information Research Guide

Explains in simple terms how laws are made.

Empowered with the sovereign authority of the people by the framers and the consent of the legislatures of the states, the Constitution is the source of all government powers, and also provides important limitations on the government that protect the fundamental rights of United States citizens. Contains original text and explanation.

Published versions of bills from the 103rd Congress (1993-1994)-present.

Search the official verbatim record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published daily when Congress is in session. 1873-present.

Transcripts of selected hearings to obtain information and opinions on proposed legislation, conduct an investigation, or evaluate/oversee the activities of a government department or the implementation of a Federal law. Coverage from the 99th Congress (1985)-present.

Full text of Senate and House reports issued by committees when approving a bill for debate. Also executive reports by the Senate on treaties and nominations. 104th Congress (1995)-present.

Policy and legal analysis written for committees and members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. Well-known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan. State Department site has selected reports from 1999-present.

Provides "reports by Congress’s think tank, the Congressional Research Service, which provides valuable insight and non-partisan analysis of issues of public debate. "

Browse all public laws (slip laws) since the 93rd Congress (1973). There are summaries from the 93rd-103rd Congresses, full text from the 104th-present.

Full text of all slip laws from the 104th Congress (1995)-present.

The Statutes are the official source for the laws and resolutions passed by Congress. This official Government Printing Office site contains full text statutes for Volume 117 (2003) to date and a link to "Additional Government Publications" including The Statutes at Large for 1951-present.

Covers the first forty-three Congresses, 1789-1875. Full text of volumes from the Library of Congress.

The United States Code is the codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. This version allows browsing and searching of all 50 titles.

Browseable and searchable. Includes the Table of Popular Names and the Parallel Table of Authorities.

This website provides a consolidation and codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. The site provides searching and browsing options that cater to all levels - from the average consumer to the serious researcher.

Treaty documents are available on Congress.gov for all treaties submitted to the Senate since the 94th Congress (1975-1976). Treaties submitted prior to the 94th Congress are included if they were pending in 1975.

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is not a federal law, but a product of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and the American Law Institute. All 50 states and territories have enacted some version of UCC. Cornell provides partial access to its general provisions.

Congressional Code of Military Criminal Law applicable to all military members worldwide.

Find out how your Senators and Representatives voted from the 101st Congress (1989)-present. .

President, vice president, senators, representatives, state and local officials.

Watch House proceedings live, check your representatives' votes, read the bills and committee reports, contact your representatives.

Keep abreast of committee and floor schedules. votes, and active legislation. Consult a virtual reference desk, contact your senator, and read Senate history.

Complete official biennial listing of Senators and Representatives, Congressional committees, press corps, etc. Includes 104th Congress (1995/96)-present.

Photographs of all Senators and Representatives. Includes 104th Congress (1995/96)-present.

Picture and concise biography of all Congressional representatives from the Continental Congresses to date, plus links to research collections on each person. Also links to the House and Senate history pages.

The official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents.

A site where citizens can find and comment on proposed rules. This supports the regulatory process by which agencies create the specific rules that implement laws made by Congress.

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) annual edition is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation. To find changes after the publication date, use the List of CFR Sections Affected (LSA) on the menu at the left of the screen and also listed separately below.

Lists proposed, new, and amended Federal rules that have been published in the Federal Register since the most recent revision date of a Code of Federal Regulations title.

Version of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) updated daily. It is not an official legal edition of the CFR but is a highly searchable editorial compilation of CFR material and Federal Register amendments produced by the National Archives and Records Administration's Office of the Federal Register and the Government Printing Office.

The EPA's compilation of the major laws it administers, its regulations, and explanations of them.

Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations controls government procurement. Includes current and older editions, Federal Acquisition Circulars (FAC).

Current and historical FARS (Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations).

"A brief description of many of DOL's principal statutes most commonly applicable to businesses, job seekers, workers, retirees, contractors and grantees."

Search or browse full text of Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Instructions or information issued by the Office of Management and Budget to federal agencies. Full text numerically and by subject.

The White House site which includes information on the President and Vice President, White House tours, a Citizen's Handbook, news from the White House, how to e-mail the President.

Members of the cabinet and links to their web sites (Department of State, Department of Defense, etc.).

Consists of the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents and the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents.

Official daily record of all public speeches and publications of the President of the United States. 1991-present.

Links to a web page for each president that includes a picture, biography and quotations.

Internet Public Library site which offers background information, biographies, election results, cabinet members, salaries, and notable events and documents for each president.

General information, catalogs, and many online documents and photographs from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush.

Current status and amendments, if any, of Executive Orders from Jan. 24, 1953-date. Full text from 1995-date. Compiled and maintained by the Office of the Federal Register editors.

Empowered with the sovereign authority of the people by the framers and the consent of the legislatures of the states, the Constitution is the source of all government powers, and also provides important limitations on the government that protect the fundamental rights of United States citizens.

Describes the relationship of the judiciary to the legislative and executive branches of government within the constitutional system of "checks and balances." From the U.S. Courts homepage.

In-depth description of how the courts work, how they are organized, and how they fit into the U.S. system of government.

An overview of the Federal Government's Judicial Branch (kindly provided by the students and teachers of the Kellytown Civics Club)

Findlaw's searchable and browseable full text opinions covering U.S. Reports volume 150-date.

Links to homepages of the Supreme Court, lower courts, special courts, and court support organizations. Includes full text opinions for all of these courts primarily from the 1990s to date: U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U.S. Court of International Trade, U.S. Courts of Appeals, U. S. District Courts, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. Tax Court.

Full-text administrative decisions for a few agencies, plus information and links to sources for many others. From the University of Virginia Law School.