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Federal Government Resources

Help locating what Tutt Library houses along with selected internet resources.

See guide

Use the Congressional and Legislative Tracking guide.

Check the catalog for Congressional publications housed at Tutt Library.

Legislative History Overview

Legislative history refers to

- the progress of a bill through the legislative process
- documents that are created during that process:

  • explain why Congress enacted a particular law
  • aid in the interpretation of a law.

The components (in order of importance):

  • committee reports,
  • bills and their amendments,
  • sponsor remarks, and
  • committee hearings.

  

For information about a particular bill or law (ex. bill numbers and/or the public law number), find as much background information about the legislation as possible, including what it does and the pros and cons of the legislation:

  • Discusses background research 
    • by support organizations, hearings, committee reports, debate, voting, bills, resolutions, the budget process, and treaties.