CHAPTER THREE: UNITED STATES CONGRESS

The Congressional Internet presence, led by an initiative nicknamed "Thomas," endeavors to make available the full text of floor activity, committee documents, as well as the various bills and laws relating to the Executive Branch's activities. The amount of information online from each body and/or committee, however, varies considerably. Committee hearings where most of the deliberations regarding policy occurs are still not online.

Congressional agencies also vary enormously in terms of their online presence. The General Accounting Office (GAO) makes available its many reports in full text online (see Appendix D for a bibliography), but the Congressional Research Service (CRS) has virtually no online presence for its Issue Briefs and Reports. This is regrettable, for it continues the now old-fashioned practice that if one is in Washington or has a friend in Congress, one can get CRS documents, but if one is merely a citizen, one cannot.

Thomas: Legislative Information on the Internet
http://thomas.loc.gov/
The Congressional homepage, and an excellent site, with access to floor activities, bills and resolutions, the Congressional Record, and committee information.

Congressional Directories
gopher://marvel.loc.gov:70/11/congress/directory

Congressional E-mail Addresses
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress

Today in Congress (via The Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/daily/cong2day.htm

CHAPTER THREE: UNITED STATES CONGRESS

U. S. Laws

House of Representatives

House Committees

United States Senate

Senate Committees

Congressional Agencies

Congressional Budget Office

Congressional Research Service

Office of Technology Assessment