FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
About Congressional Hearings
Once introduced and given a number, bills are immediately assigned to the Congressional committee responsible for that policy area. The Senate and House Committees do much of the work moving a bill through the legislative process. These committees may hold hearings, revise draft bills, and recommend passage. Congressional Hearings offer important primary resource information on many research topics. As noted by the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO),
A hearing is a meeting or session of a Senate, House, joint, or special committee of Congress, usually open to the public, to obtain information and opinions on proposed legislation, conduct an investigation, or evaluate/oversee the activities of a government department or the implementation of a Federal Law. In addition, hearings may be purely exploratory in nature, providing testimony and data about topics of current interest. Most congressional hearings are published two months to two years after they are held.
Finding Congressional Hearings
The Government Information and Maps Department has ceased providing U.S. Congressional Hearings in print format. Instead, U.S. Congressional Hearings dating back to 1824 are now accessible online in PDF digital format. This online availability enables convenient keyword searches. Access these valuable full-text resources through the following sources:
- ProQuest Congressional- a subscription database offered through the FAU Libraries that allows users to search and download the abstracts and full text of congressional hearings from 1824 to the present.
- HeinOnline Database (U.S. Congressional Documents Section) - a subscription database offered through the FAU Libraries that allows users to search and download the abstracts and full text of congressional hearings from 1849 to the present.
- govinfo.gov- a FREE website through the Government Publishing Office (GPO) service that provides free digital access to selected hearings from the 79th Congress (1945) to the present.
- Congress.gov- a FREE website that provides free digital access to selected hearings from the 93rd Congress (1973) to the present. Their Historical Collection with the following Congresses from 6th to 92nd. Historical material is less complete.
Government Information Subject Guides
Embark on an online journey of exploration and discovery with our Finding Congressional Hearings and Legislative Information Subject Guide. Delve into a wealth of meticulously curated resources encompassing congressional hearings, legislative data, and insightful search tips. Whether conducting research, studying, or seeking legislative insights, this guide provides comprehensive online support. Dive into its digital depths today to enrich your understanding of legislative processes, policymaking, and governmental affairs. Click the link below to access the Finding Congressional Hearings and Legislative Information Subject Guide and begin your immersive exploration.
