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Federal Legislative History Research

Print and digital resources for federal legislative history research.

Committee Reports

  • Describe the purpose and scope of the bill

  • Give concrete reasons for its approval

  • Provide best evidence of legislative intent

  • Most Important document in legislative history research

Free Electronic Sources for House and Senate Reports

Congress.gov - provides pdf committee reports beginning with the 104th Congress (1995-96)

GovInfo - provides pdf committee reports beginning with the 104th Congress (1995-96)

Electronic Sources for House and Senate Reports

Bloomberg Law -  provides pdf committee reports beginning with the 104th Congress (1995-96)

Lexis - has committee reports from January 1990 through the current Congress (selected coverage for the 101st and 102nd Congresses(1989-1992).

Westlaw - provides access to all committee reports contained in the printed U.S. Code Congressional and Administrative News.  1951-

Proquest Congressional - provides access to committee reports from 1819 to current.

Proquest Legislative Insight - full text of committee reports associated with enacted legislation.

BLS Library Collection (Microfiche)

The Library has the full text of older House and Senate reports in microfiche, dating back to 1915.  For assistance, contact a reference librarian at askthelibrary@brooklaw.edu