Start with any version of the federal code to locate the public law(s) creating or amending the section of the code you are interested in. You will find this information at the end of each code section. Public laws are cited to by Congressional session and chronological number of the bill passed, (e.g., 98-123 is the 123rd bill signed into law during the 98th Congress), and published in the order passed in United States Statutes at Large (Stat.). You may also want to note any cases or law review articles listed in the code, since these may contain information on legislative intent. Three versions of the code are available:
United States Code (USC) - the official version of the code, published by the United States Government
United States Code Annotated (USCA) - published by West, this annotated version of the code contains legal notes and research guides.
United States Code Service (USCS) - published by LexisNexis, this annotated version of the code contains legal notes and research guides.
All three versions are available online, while the latest print versions of USCS and USCA are available on the 2nd Floor.
Online:
In the Library:
Search by keyword or by citation. Look to see if a legislative history has been compiled for the Public Law in question. Most public laws as printed will also include citations for documents directly related to the law (e.g., bill versions, Congressional Record citations). However, prepared legislative histories will provide more in-depth coverage, including citations for debates, related bills, hearings, and committe prints.
ProQuest Congressional is a database for congressional publications and legislative research that offers access to U.S. congressional documents from 1789 to the present. It supports research in public policy, historical, and legal areas, with insights into U.S. history and policy development.
In the Library:
Searching the library catalog for "legislative history," along with the name of the law (i.e., "Clean Air Act") in question can also yield useful results. To browse all library titles with the "Legislative Histories" subject tag, click here.
How Our Laws are Made. (Wirth & Cooper, 2010) Click graphic to enlarge.
Congressional Record:
Laws:
Bills:
Committee Hearings, Reports and Documents:
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