Library Contact
Clark Library
Hatcher Graduate Library 2 South
Best Bets for Researching Congress and Legislation
- ProQuest Congressional This link opens in a new windowIncludes bills, laws, Congressional publications, hearings, reports, Congressional Record, CRS Reports and executive agency documents.
- Congress.govBills from the 93rd (1973-1974) to present
- ProQuest Legislative Insight: 1789 - 2023 This link opens in a new windowDigital collection of legislative histories (all of the documents that come out of creating legislation) for the U.S. Congress.
Types of Congressional Publications
Congressional Hearings
used to gather information, explore the need for legislation, or for oversight
Bills and Amendments
Legislation introduced by a member of Congress
Bill Markup Reports
Reports that document the changes made to a bill while in committee
- CQ Roll CallSearch "markup" in Transcripts
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports
The CRS works exclusively and directly for Members of Congress, their Committees and staff on a confidential, nonpartisan basis. CRS reports provide good summaries of policy or background information on a matter of interest to Congress.
Committee Prints
Publications used by committees during the consideration of a bill. Often written by the Congressional Research Service
House and Senate Committee Reports
Reports of congressional committees concerning proposed legislation and/or contain findings on matters under investigation
House and Senate Documents
Documents can include reports of executive departments and agencies, as well as committee prints, that were ordered to be printed as documents. Senate Treaty Documents contain the text of a treaty as it is submitted to the U. S. Senate for ratification by the President of the United States.
Laws
Bills that passed both chambers of Congress and were signed by the President