CRS Report for Congress

96-473 C

How to Follow Current Federal Legislation and Regulations

Carold D. Davis, Information Research Specialist
Congressional Reference Division

May 20, 1996

SUMMARY

This report has been prepared primarily for the use of constituents who wish to follow the legislative or regulatory activities of the federal government, but it may be of interest to anyone unfamiliar with the basic steps used in tracking legislation or regulations.

Several basic printed sources are listed. Action on legislation pending or passed in the current Congress is reported in the Congressional Record, the official record of the Congress. The Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report and the National Journal are commercial publications that track the status of current legislation. There are also several telephone sources which provide up-to-date legislative information.

Federal regulations are published in proposed and final form in the Federal Register and are codified by subject in the Code of Federal Regulations. There are a number of public and commercial sources that provide information on the status and content of federal regulations. Telephone sources for current information on regulations are also provided.

This report also presents brief descriptions of selected databases that may be helpful in researching federal legislation and regulations, as well as additional reference and media sources for further information on the subject.

Brief annotations indicate the scope of each item.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
TRACKING CURRENT FEDERAL LEGISLATION
PRINTED SOURCES
TELEPHONE SOURCES
TRACKING CURRENT FEDERAL REGULATIONS
PRINTED SOURCES
TELEPHONE SOURCES
SELECTED DATABASES
OTHER SOURCES
REFERENCE SOURCES
MEDIA SOURCES
BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

Tracking the status of current legislative and regulatory issues is often perceived as a formidable task, requiring an in-depth knowledge of the issue, a vast library of costly publications, and an intimate understanding of the inner workings of the federal government. This is not necessarily true. While researchers may be aided by access to sophisticated retrieval methods and comprehensive knowledge of the governmental system, it is possible for most people to follow an issue using a variety of resources available locally. However, it can still be a complicated and time-consuming process, depending on the scope of the issue.

This guide has been designed to introduce researchers to the essential and useful sources needed to acquire background information or specific facts on the status of federal legislative or regulatory activities. Printed, telephone, electronic, and media sources are included, as well as directories of organizations that track areas of interest. Annotations describing the contents and organization of each source are included so that researchers can select those which most nearly fit individual needs.

Many of the publications cited in this guide can be found and used in local public or research libraries. The publications of the federal government can usually be found in those libraries designated as federal depository libraries.

Several computer databases, including some on the Internet, may expedite a particular search. Since some of these may be available to researchers through a large public, research, or special library, brief listings of pertinent databases are provided in the "Selected Databases" section.

For all other materials, purchasing information, including publishers and addresses, has been provided. Publications from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) can be ordered, prepaid, by mail, telephone, or fax on VISA or MasterCard.

GPO bookstores located in selected cities throughout the United States can be identified by consulting a local telephone directory under the listing "U.S. Government."

The prices and addresses given are accurate as of the time of this printing; they are, of course, subject to change.

TRACKING CURRENT FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Action on legislation passed or pending in the current Congress, and its status in the legislative process, is reported in the Congressional Record. This is the primary source for the text of floor debates and the official source for recorded votes.

Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report and National Journal are commercial publications that track the status of current legislation.

Since some current legislation amends previously enacted legislation, it may occasionally be necessary to consult the earlier laws in the United States Statutes at Large or the United States Code.

PRINTED SOURCES

CIS/Index to Publications of the United States Congress
Congressional Information Service, Inc.
4520 East-West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814-3389
Telephone: (301) 654-1550 (ask for Order Department) --- (800) 638-8380
Fax: (301) 654-4033
Subscription: Rates furnished on request
Frequency: Monthly index and abstracts issues, with annual cumulations
This source provides detailed abstracts of such congressional publications as printed hearings, reports, committee prints, and documents. Among its access points are title, subject, bill number, publication number, and witness names. Also, legislative histories of public laws are provided. Coverage begins with 1970 and continues through the present.
For information on computerized access to this publication, see the "Selected Databases" section.
Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report
Congressional Quarterly, Inc.
1414 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: (202) 822-1456 -- (800) 432-2250
Fax: (202) 785-4415
Subscription: Rates furnished on request
Frequency: Weekly, with special supplements and annual Almanac
This is a weekly summary of congressional action and developments. There are sections on committee and floor action, tables indicating the status of major legislation and appropriations, and charts showing recorded votes in both chambers. Most issues include articles providing background information on topics of legislative interest. The annual Congressional Quarterly Almanac is a comprehensive review of the legislative session.
For information on computerized access to this publication, see the "Selected Databases" section.
Congressional Record
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20402
Telephone: (202) 512-1800
Fax: (202) 512-2250
Subscription: $225 per year, $112.50 for six months, or $1.50 for single issue
Frequency: Published each day that one or both chambers are in session, except infrequent instances when two or more consecutive issues are printed together
The Congressional Record contains the edited transcript of the activities on the floor of the House and the Senate. The "Daily Digest" section includes summaries of: action in each chamber, committee hearings, bills signed, and committee meetings scheduled for the following day. Indexes are issued twice a month. The subject indexes can be used to identify bills by topic, and the "History of Bills and Resolutions" portion tracks action on specific bills.
For information on computerized access to the Congressional Record, see the "Selected Databases" section.
Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, DC 20402
Telephone: (202) 512-1800
Fax: (202) 512-2250
Subscription: $75 per year; $3 for single issue
Frequency: Weekly, with quarterly, semiannual, and annual indexes
This weekly periodical is the source for such information as the dates on which the President signed or vetoed legislation. In addition, it provides transcripts of: presidential messages to Congress, executive orders, and speeches and other material released by the White House.
For information on computerized access to this publication, see the "Selected Databases" section.

TELEPHONE SOURCES

At times, information is needed on legislation so current that the desired data will not yet be available in any printed or electronic source. Or, there may be occasions when only one elusive date, bill number, or page number is needed. The offices listed below can provide certain specific facts as explained in each entry. However, when this information is needed on a regular basis, or when in-depth coverage of an issue is needed, it is essential to consult the printed or electronic sources which have been listed in this guide.

The following telephone numbers may be useful:

Daily Calendar Information Both political parties in the Senate and the House provide recorded messages of the proceedings on the floor of each chamber every day they are in session. The numbers to call for these cloakroom recordings are:

Senate:
(202) 224-8541 (Democratic) --- (202) 224-8601 (Republican)

House:
(202) 225-7400 (Democratic) --- (202) 225-7430 (Republican)

Status of Legislation The office of legislative information on Capitol Hill will respond to telephone inquiries from the public, providing up-to-date information on current legislation. By using a computer, a trained and knowledgeable staff can give the following information: status of any given piece of legislation, bills introduced by any given Member of Congress, or bills introduced on any given subject. A maximum of six items identified by bill number, or three items which require word searches, can be handled per call. The number is (202) 225-1772.

Switchboard in the U.S. Capitol The office of any committee or subcommittee can be reached by calling (202) 224-3121.

White House Records The office of the executive clerk at the White House provides a recorded message with information on when recent legislation was signed or vetoed and on the dates of presidential messages, executive orders, and other official presidential actions. If the desired information is not included in the taped message, callers can stay on the line to be connected with a person. This office can be reached at (202) 456-2226.

TRACKING CURRENT FEDERAL REGULATIONS

Regulations are issued by agencies of the federal government under the authority delegated to them by a federal law or by a presidential executive order and have the force of law. Final regulations are printed in the Federal Register, and then codified by subject in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). By using these two sources with their many indexes and tables, it is possible to identify all existing regulations in a subject area or pertaining to a specific section of the United States Code, to identify regulations issued pursuant to a specific public law, or to find proposed regulations which are not yet final.

The Federal Regulatory Directory describes the regulatory responsibilities of more than 100 federal agencies, and the weekly National Journal frequently reports on regulatory activities.

PRINTED SOURCES

CIS Federal Register Index
Congressional Information Service, Inc.
4520 East-West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814-3389
Telephone: (301) 654-1550 ask for Order Department) --- (800) 638-8380
Fax: (301) 654-4033
Subscription: $695 per year
Frequency: Weekly, with cumulations every 5 weeks and semiannually
This annotated index provides numerous points of access to the Federal Register, such as: subject; personal, organizational, and corporate names; issuing agency; authorizing legislation; geographic area; CFR section number; and agency docket number. Also, a listing of deadlines, effective dates, and hearings is maintained.
CIS Index to the Code of Federal Regulations
Congressional Information Service, Inc.
4520 East-West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814-3389
Telephone: (301) 654-1550 (ask for Order Department) --- (800) 638-8380
Fax: (301) 654-4033
Subscription: $765 per year
Frequency: Annual, with quarterly updates
This CFR index is arranged by: subject; geography -- by political entities which administer federally regulated activities, and by proper name of physical entities administered by the government (national parks, monuments, etc.); descriptive headings for various portions of the CFR; and reserved headings either anticipated for future use or no longer in use. In addition, there is an administrative history of the CFR.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20402
Telephone: (202) 512-1800
Fax: (202) 512-2250
Subscription: $883 per year; varies by individual title
Frequency: Revised annually, one quarter of the titles at a time, as of the first of January, April, July, and October
The CFR codifies final regulations having general applicability and legal effect which have previously appeared in the Federal Register. They are arranged by subject in 50 titles. The annual revision incorporates new regulations and drops superseded ones, so that the CFR reflects regulations in effect at the time of printing. Several indexes and tables accompany the set.
For information on computerized access to the CFR, see the "Selected Databases" section.
Federal Register
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, DC 20402 Telephone: (202) 512-1800
Fax: (202) 512-2250
Subscription: $494 per year; $247 for six months, or $8 for single issue
Frequency: Daily, Monday through Friday; not published on Saturdays, Sundays, or on official holidays
The Federal Register is the official announcement of regulations and legal notices issued by federal agencies. These include: presidential proclamations and executive orders, proposed and final federal agency regulations having general applicability and legal effect, documents required to be published by act of Congress, and other federal agency documents of public interest. It also functions as an update to the CFR. Daily and monthly indexes, and an accompanying publication, List of CFR Sections Affected, assist in its use.
For information on computerized access to the Federal Register, see the "Selected Databases" section.
Federal Regulatory Directory
Congressional Quarterly, Inc.
1414 22nd Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 Telephone: (202) 822-1475 --- (800) 638-1710
Fax: (202) 887-6706
Price: $139.95
Frequency: Every two years
Profiles describing the mandates and operations of more than 100 federal regulatory agencies are provided in this directory. It also contains lists of telephone contacts, information resources, organizational charts, regional offices, and congressional committees with jurisdiction over various regulatory issues. Historical and current overviews explain the evolution of the regulatory process. Additional aids are the full texts of key regulatory acts and executive orders, along with subject and personnel indexes.
National Journal
National Journal, Inc.
1501 M Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 739-8400 (ask for Circulation for National Journal) --- (800) 424-2921
Fax: (202) 739-8540
Subscription: $937 per year
Frequency: Weekly, with semiannual indexes and quarterly directory, The Capital Source
This magazine contains summary reports on current legislative issues such as defense spending and energy policy, and on regulatory activities and reform. Concise examinations of policy and politics appear in the "Washington Update" section, while examinations of major issues can be found in the "Features" and "Focuses" sections. Other sections focus on congressional matters, the White House, and statistical data. Indexes are arranged by name, agency, private organization, geographic region, subject, congressional committee, and author.
For information on computerized access to this publication, see the "Selected Databases" section.

TELEPHONE SOURCES

As is the case with legislation, there are times when more current information is needed on regulatory activity than has yet appeared in the printed or electronic materials, or when assistance in using those sources is required. Again, the telephone can be helpful.

Federal Agencies

The federal agencies responsible for regulatory activities in specific areas and the individuals in charge can be identified in the Federal Regulatory Directory. Telephone numbers are furnished.

Federal Register

The customer service office at the Federal Register can identify the location and date of recent items appearing in the Federal Register and can assist in using the CFR; its number is (202) 523-5227.

Individuals who need copies of pages of the Federal Register can copy as many pages as they need in person at the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20408 at a cost of $.10 per page. The Federal Register's Public Information Office can be contacted at (202) 523-5240 for additional information.

White House Records

The office of the executive clerk at the White House provides a recorded message with information on the dates executive orders and presidential proclamations appeared in the Federal Register. If the desired information is not included in the taped message, callers can stay on the line to be connected with a person. This office can be reached at (202) 456-2226.

SELECTED DATABASES

Several computer databases, including some on the Internet, can provide help in tracking both federal legislation and regulations. Brief descriptions of selected ones are provided in this section. Also included is contact information for the database producer or the actual database.

Because of the rapidly changing nature of this field, no attempt has been made to compile a comprehensive listing. For the same reason, no material has been provided on subscription fees (which are also charged by some Internet providers), online rates, or access information (except for some of the Internet sources). To obtain such information for all other sources, the appropriate database producer must be contacted at the address or telephone/fax/Internet e-mail numbers provided.

CIS
Congressional Information Service, Inc.
4520 East-West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814-3389
Telephone: (301) 654-1550 --- (800) 638-8380
Abstracts of such congressional publications as printed hearings, reports, documents, and committee prints are available in this database. Testimony of hearing witnesses can be tracked by the individuals' names. Both this database and the company's Congressional Masterfile®2 CD-ROM are electronic counterparts of the CIS/Index to Publications of the United States Congress and provide coverage from 1970 through the present. The company has announced plans to launch Internet World Wide Web access to this source during 1996.
Counterpoint Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 928
Cambridge, MA 02140
Telephone: (800) 998-4515 Fax: (617) 547-9064
Internet e-mail: [email protected]
This firm provides access on the Internet by subscription to the Federal Register, which is updated daily, and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which is updated monthly. The Internet's World Wide Web address for Counterpoint Publishing's home page is http://www.counterpoint.com
CQ Washington Alert Service
Congressional Quarterly, Inc.
Washington Alert Service
1414 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: (202) 887-6366
Fax: (202) 728-1863
Material on congressional bill status, floor actions, legislative histories and complete text of all bills introduced, schedules, roll-call votes, witness testimony, and the full texts of the Congressional Record and the Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report are among this source's highlights. Time spans covered vary, depending upon the category of information sought.
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Federal On-Line Congressional Tracking System
Legi-Tech
1029 J Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 447-1886
This file in the Legi-Tech database provides the following current information: full texts of legislation, histories and current status of bills, Members' voting records, and congressional schedules and calendars. Legi-Tech also provides access to the Congressional Digest, the Federal Register, and the Congressional Record. This system is available on the Internet to subscribers.
GPO Access
Office of Electronic Information Dissemination Services
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20401
Telephone: (202) 512-1530
Fax: (202) 512-1262
Internet e-mail: [email protected]
The Government Printing Office provides access on the Internet to a wide variety of important legislative sources, such as congressional bills, the Congressional Record and the Congressional Record Index (including the "History of Bills"), the Federal Register, congressional calendars, public laws, and selected congressional publications. Time spans covered vary by the category of information sought.
Free access to these services is available on the World Wide Web at: http://ww.access.gpo.gov
Legi-Slate
Legi-Slate, Inc.
777 North Capitol Street
Washington, DC 20002
Telephone: (202) 898-2300 --- (800) 733-1131
Fax: (202) 898-3030
Internet e-mail: [email protected]
With a wide range of information on all congressional bills and resolutions introduced since 1979, committee reports, and the full text of the Congressional Record, this database allows subscribers to track legislation. Tailored voting records for Members of Congress can be produced by using the vote rating service. Those interested in regulation would be aided by the "Federal Register" and by the "Daily CFR" (Code of Federal Regulations).
Selected portions of Legi-Slate's Gopher Service are available free on the Internet, such as: legislation beginning with the 103rd Congress, accessible by number, Legi-Slate subject term, date, chamber, sponsor, and type; bill status and summary information; and lists such as available bill text versions, committee reports, bill cosponsors, and companion or similar bills.
Legi-Slate can be accessed on the Internet by going to gopher://gopher.legislate.com:70/1
LEXIS/NEXIS
Mead Data Central, Inc.
9443 Springboro Pike
P.O. Box 933
Dayton, OH 45401-0933
Telephone: (513) 865-6800 --- (800) 227-4908
Fax: (513) 865-6909

Full-text coverage of several publications useful in tracking legislation and regulations are provided. Among these are the Congressional Record, the Federal Register, the Code of Federal Regulations, and the full texts of bills from the current Congress. Other highlights are: the full texts of the National Journal and the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents; pending bill status; floor and committee votes, Members' voting records; committee schedules; public laws; and numerous federal judicial decisions.

Only LEXIS/NEXIS subscribers can access the system on the Internet.
Library of Congress Information System (LOCIS)
This free system's Bill Digest files, which are available on the Internet, consist of abstracts, summaries, and chronologies for congressional legislation introduced since 1973. Among the files' access points are bill sponsors, co-sponsors, and committees of referral.
On the Internet's World Wide Web, these files can be utilized at http://www.loc.gov/homepage/govt.html or at gopher://marvel.loc.gov
NationBase
NationBase, Inc.
12 Greenway Plaza, 11th Floor
Houston, TX 77046
Telephone: (713) 871-3136
Fax: (713) 871-3123
Available on the Internet to subscribers, this database provides the full texts of federal legislation, bill status updates, floor calendars, and committee reports and agendas.
THOMAS
THOMAS is a World Wide Web server of congressional information on the Internet. Initiated by the leadership of the House of Representatives in the 104th Congress, it is being made available free to Internet users through the Library of Congress.
Among its contents for the 104th and 103rd Congresses (except where otherwise noted) are: the full texts of bills; bill summary and status (104th Congress only); the full text of the Congressional Record; and the Congressional Record Index (104th Congress and the 103rd Congress, 2nd session [1994]). Also, How Our Laws Are Made, a congressional publication that explains the steps of the legislative process, is available.
On the Web, the Uniform Resource Locator (URL), or address, for THOMAS is http://thomas.loc.gov
U.S. House of Representatives World Wide Web Service
This free Internet source provides such information as: major committee and floor actions for the House, the Senate, and joint committees for the most recent three legislative days; legislative schedules; background information on the legislative process, including How Our Laws Are Made, a congressional publication that explains the steps of the legislative process; and concise descriptions of floor proceedings when the House is in session. This service can be accessed on the Internet's World Wide Web at http://www.house.gov/Legproc.html
U.S. Senate World Wide Web Server
Materials of legislative interest that are offered on this free Internet source are: Senate legislative procedures; the Senate calendar; the chamber's leadership; descriptions of the Senate committee system and of the individual committees; the history of the Senate; directories of Senators by name and by state; lists of Senators who have constituent e-mail addresses; and a glossary of terms common to the Senate. The URL for this source on the World Wide Web of the Internet is http://www.senate.gov/legislative_proc/legislative_process.html
WESTLAW
West Publishing Corporation
620 Opperman Drive
Eagan, MN 55123
Telephone: (800) 328-9352
Fax: (612) 687-7302
Internet e-mail: [email protected]

While WESTLAW was designed primarily as a legal reference database, many of its files contain material useful to anyone tracking legislation or regulations. The Congressional Record is available in full text, as is the Federal Register and the current Code of Federal Regulations. Also available in full text are executive documents and federal laws.

The Internet offers various methods of checking on alternative and new federal legislative and regulatory sources that are available on it. For example, the LOCIS home page provides two legislative subject trees:

http://www.loc.gov

http://www.loc.gov

Other sources to check that may prove useful are the following URLs developed by Larry Schankman of Mansfield University in Mansfield, PA:

http://www.clark.net/pub/lschank/web/mythomas.html
["Guide to Legislative Research with THOMAS"]

http://www.clark.net/pub/lschank/web/fedregs.html
["Library Guide Series: Federal Regulations"]

http://www.clark.net/pub/lschank/web/gov.html
["US Government and Politics"]

OTHER SOURCES

There are numerous sources which, while not directly related to tracking legislation and regulations, can often be useful for identifying sources of information on these topics. National organizations which represent specific interest groups are keenly aware of legislation and regulatory activities in their areas. They often follow these issues closely, publishing newsletters and making reference material available on these topics.

The Encyclopedia of Associations contains essential information on about 23,000 national organizations. With a subject arrangement, the Washington Information Directory provides information on governmental and private groups in Washington. National Trade and Professional Associations of the United States offers information on some 7,500 national trade associations and professional societies. Washington '95 is a directory of key Washington officials and institutions.

REFERENCE SOURCES

Encyclopedia of Associations
Gale Research Inc.
835 Penobscot Building
Detroit, MI 48226-4094
Telephone: (313) 961-2242 --- (800) 347-4253
Fax: (313) 961-6815
Price:
v. 1. National Organizations of the United States, $435
v. 2. Geographic and Executive Indexes, $335
v. 3. Supplement, $350
Frequency: Annual
V. 1 of the Encyclopedia of Associations provides the organizational name, address, phone number, and name of a top official of a wide variety of non-profit organizations in the United States. For each group, an annotation describes its history, resources, goals, activities, publications, and meetings. The index to v. 1 provides retrieval by title or key word. Access by state, city, and executive name is given in v. 2. Information on newly formed or newly reported associations is found in v. 3.
National Trade and Professional Associations of the United States
Columbia Books, Inc.
1212 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 330
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 898-0662
Fax: (202) 898-0775
(NOTE: Orders must be written, so must be mailed or faxed)
Price: $80
Frequency: Annual
This soft-bound volume lists "about 7,500 national trade associations, labor unions, professional, scientific, or technical societies and other national organizations composed of groups united for a common purpose." Basic information includes: name, address, telephone number, fax number (if available), number of staff and members, publications, meetings, historical note, and budget. Subject, geographic, acronym, executive, association management firm, and budget indexes are provided. The budget index separates organizations which have provided budget data into 10 categories ranging from less than $10,000 to more than $5 million.
Washington [year]
Columbia Books, Inc.
1212 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 330
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 898-0662
Fax: (202) 898-0775
(NOTE: Orders must be written, so must be mailed or faxed)
Price: $75
Frequency: Annual
Listings in this directory cover about 20,000 key officials of some 4,400 Washington, DC, area institutions, such as international organizations, government agencies, embassies, media organizations, cultural institutions, national associations, public interest groups, businesses, local colleges and universities, and hospitals. The current edition is Washington '95.
Washington Information Directory
Congressional Quarterly, Inc.
1414 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: (202) 822-1475 --- (800) 638-1710
Fax: (202) 887-6706
Price: $105
Frequency: Annual
Rather than arranging Washington's information sources by agency or organization, this directory categorizes them by subject. Each of its 18 subject areas covers three types of information sources: executive branch agencies, congressional sources, and private organizations. Each entry contains the name of the source, its address, telephone number, and the name of a key official, along with a capsule description of its work. Also, useful lists of congressional offices, labor unions, diplomatic personnel, state and local officials, and federal regional offices, as well as subject and name indexes, are provided.

MEDIA SOURCES

A variety of information on what is happening in Washington can be learned by exposure to an assortment of editorial perspectives, "inside" reporting, and political analysis.

Among daily newspapers which contain this kind of coverage are the Washington Post, Washington Times, New York Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and Christian Science Monitor. Weekly news magazines such as Newsweek, Time, and U.S. News and World Report provide regular coverage of the Washington scene.

C-SPAN, other cable television programs, and commercial and public television and radio are providing increasing coverage of the legislative and regulatory happenings in Washington. Virtually every community has access to weekly broadcast programs which provide in-depth political analysis from reporters, legislators, and executive branch officials.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

For those who may want more information about the legislative and regulatory activities of the federal government or about the sources and techniques of tracking laws and regulations, this selected bibliography is provided. Library of Congress call numbers are included.

Congressional Quarterly's Guide to Congress. 4th ed. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, 1991. 1184 p. JK1021.C565 1991
This volume describes, in considerable detail and in a readable format, the origins and development of Congress, its powers, rules, and procedures, the qualifications and conduct of Members of Congress, their relationship to their constituencies, and much more. Several appendixes and an index are included.
Jacobstein, J. Myron, Roy M. Mersky, and Donald J. Dunn. Fundamentals of Legal Research. 6th ed. Westbury, N.Y., Foundation Press, 1994. 777 p. KF240.J32 1994
This updated successor to Pollack's Fundamentals of Legal Research is a clear and detailed guide to in-depth legal research, which includes research in federal legislation and administrative, or regulatory, law.
Morehead, Joe. Introduction to United States Government Information Sources. 5th ed. Englewood, Colo., Libraries Unlimited, 1996. Z1223.M674 1996
This revised version of Morehead's Introduction to United States Public Documents provides an introduction to a variety of basic information sources on federal government publications, and includes sections on public documents, the GPO, the depository library system, and legislative, executive, and judicial branch publications.
Robinson, Judith Schiek. Tapping the Government Grapevine: The User-Friendly Guide to U.S. Government Information Sources. 2nd ed. Phoenix, Oryx Press, 1993. 240 p. Z1223.Z7 R633 1993
Informative chapters on legislative and regulatory information sources are part of this readable guide to sources of federal information. Explanations of types of sources which focus on representative works are provided, along with information on "freebies," footnotes, and bibliographies.
U.S. Congress. House. How Our Laws Are Made. Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1990. 70 p. (101st Congress, 2nd session. H. Doc. no. 101-139) KF4945.Z9 W54 1990
Revised periodically, this pamphlet provides "a readable and nontechnical outline of the background and the numerous steps of our federal lawmaking process from the origin of an idea for a legislative proposal through its publication as a statute." It concentrates on procedures observed by the House of Representatives.
This publication is available electronically on the Internet's World Wide Web at the following two URLs:
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/lawsmade.toc.html
http://www.house.gov/HOLAM.TXT
Zwirn, Jerrold. Congressional Publications and Proceedings: Research on Legislation, Budgets, and Treaties. 2d ed. Englewood, Colo., Libraries Unlimited, 1988. 299 p. JK1067.Z85 1988
This research guide to congressional publications covers a wide range of the information utilized and issued by the U.S. Congress, focusing on printed materials.

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