U.S. Congress: A Research Guide

As politics and legislation have an increasing affect upon our daily lives, the more voters are motivated to learn more about their elected officials, the congressional process by which legislation comes about, and how it impacts the future. Congressional information can include historical information on voting pattern and biographical information and it can encompass timely information on weekly schedules and committee activity. The Internet has made this information more accessible than ever. Many publications once available only in print are now distributed through the Internet for more accurate consumption and action. This guide introduces researchers to some of the basic informational sources on the topic. The terms and phrases listed in the subject headings below can be used to search for more materials in the library's catalog and research databases. If you need further assistance, please ask a librarian.

The Almanac of American Politics, 2004 by Michael Barone and Richard E. Cohen. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. ISBN: 089234105X.
Guide to the American political scene including important issues like how redistricting will alter American politics over the course of the next decade; photographs of all 535 members of Congress and the 50 governors. Also covers voting records on important legislation, including congressional vote ratings by National Journal and interest groups.

Congressional Roll Call 2003: A Chronology and Analysis of Votes in the House and Senate. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2004.
Includes legislative summary of the session, voting studies that examine presidential support, party unity, coalitions, voting trends, and key votes throughout the year.

Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. Washington, DC : Congressional Quarterly, 1948– . Weekly.
Covers congressional activities. Includes indexes, chronologies, bill titles, and numbers. Informative finding tool, unbiased, comprehensive roundup of Capitol Hill activity from the previous week.

CQ Almanac Plus. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 2001– . Annual. Continues CQ Almanac (1948–2000).
Detailed look at each major bill considered during the legislative year Also contains useful data-filled appendixes, including: key votes, vote studies, roll call votes, public laws, and texts of key speeches.

GPO Access: Congressional Materials
www.gpoaccess.gov/legislative.html
Includes a broad variety and in-depth collection of congressional publications including congressional calendars, committees, rules and procedures, Congressional Serial Set, and independent counsel reports.

Thomas: Legislative Information on the Internet
http://thomas.loc.gov
Created to provide Federal legislative information freely available to the Internet public. Includes a variety of information-rich databases some of which are listed below including legislation, roll call votes, and committee information.
Legislation:
Bill Summary and Status: 93rd through 108th Congresses (1973–present)
Bill Text: 101st–108th Congresses (1989–present)
Public Laws by Law Number: 93rd through 108th Congresses (1973–present)
Votes:
House Roll Call Votes: 101st Congress, 2nd through 108th (1990–present)
Senate Roll Call Votes: 101st Congress, 1st through 108th (1989–present)

United States House of Representatives
www.house.gov
Offers a complete collection of publications and information about the people who make up the U.S. House of Representatives, how to contact them, committees, memberships, assignments, legislation and voting records, and the history of the House.

United States Senate
www.senate.gov
Offers a complete collections of publications and information about the people who make up the U.S. Senate, how to contact them, committees, memberships, assignments, legislation and voting records, and the history of the Senate.

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Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774–1996. Mount Vernon, VA : Staff Directories, 1996. A more current version is available online at http://bioguide.congress.gov/biosearch/biosearch.asp.
Information about any senator, representative, vice president, or member of the Continental Congress.

Congressional Pictorial Directory. Washington, DC : Government Printing Office. For sale by the Supt. of Docs., Government Printing Office. Biennial. Also Available online at www.access.gpo.gov/congress/108_pictorial/index.html.
Includes black-and-white photographs of all congressional members.

Congressional Staff Directory by Anna L. Brownson and Charles Bruce Brownson. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1959– . Three times a year. ISSN: 05893178.
Lists members of Congress and their staff, committees and the legislation they work on, lists states and their districts. Includes multiple indexes.