Research Guides: PSCI 311: Congress: Getting Started

Background Information

Use these sources to:

find summaries or overviews of specific types of legislation or topic or a specific law.
identify citations to specific bills, laws or congressional publications (prints, reports, documents, hearings)

Politics in America
Contains information about members of Congress including key votes and interest group ratings; maps and descriptions of Congressional Districts and their issues; and analysis and overview of political tensions and controversies. Covers 106th - 115th Congress.
CQ Almanac
Overview of key legislation by topic. Published with each session of congress. Use the "Policy Tracker" tool to find thematic legislation by topic.
1945-2020.
CQ Magazine
Weekly coverage of congressional activity, including bill status, votes, etc.

Congressional Publications
Publication Dates: 1789-Present
Provides U.S. congressional documents covering the full legislative process. Includes congressional debates (the Congressional Record), bills, laws, hearings, committee prints, and reports.

There are many kinds of government publications. An incomplete list can be found below.

Guide to Congress
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE JK1021 .C565 2013

Covers all aspects of the U.S. Congress divided into eight subject areas: origins and development; powers; procedures; pressures; housing and support; pay and perquisites; Congress and the electorate; and qualifications and conduct.

Committees in the U.S. Congress, 1993-2010
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE JK1029 .C643 2011
Committees in the U. S. Congress, 1947-1992
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE JK1029 .N45 1993 (2 vol.)
Committees in the U. S. Congress, 1789-1946
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE JK1029 .C64 2002 (4 vol.)