The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the U.S. Congress. For every day Congress is in session, an issue of the Congressional Record is printed by the Government Publishing Office (GPO. Each issue summarizes the day’s floor and committee actions and records all remarks delivered in the House and Senate.
Books on the law formed a major part of the holdings of the Library of Congress from its beginning. In 1832, Congress established the Law Library of Congress as a separate department of the Library. It houses one of the most complete collections of U.S. Congressional documents in their original format. In order to make these records more easily accessible to students, scholars, and interested citizens, A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation brings together online the records and acts of Congress from the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention through the 43rd Congress, including the first three volumes of the Congressional Record, 1873-75.
In the process of making laws, the U.S. Congress publishes hearings, prints, and reports related to the legislative process. These resources include expert testimony and debates on important topics in history and public policy as well as almost every aspect of American life.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) analyzes public policy topics for the U.S. Congress. These reports are excellent resources for understanding the basics of almost anything for which Congress has the power to legislate.