Law and Legal Studies
Statutes
Statutes are the written law as passed by the legislature (as contrasted with case law and common law, developed by the courts).
Bills are proposed laws that are presented to the legislature for discussion and vote.
Congressional Research Service reports
The Congressional Research Service is a public policy research department of the U.S. Congress. The department issues non-partisan reports for members of Congress to support the decision-making process. These reports can assist legal researchers in understanding the background and context of bills and laws. The reports are available from several web sites:
- ProQuest Legislative and Executive Publications This link opens in a new window
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Hearings, bills, laws and legislative histories, committee prints, Congressional Research Service reports, Congressional Record and predecessors, Executive Branch docs to 1939, and the Serial Set. - CRS Reports This link opens in a new window
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Reports by the public policy research arm of the U. S. Congress on current issues and their legal and legislative status, 1970-present. Library doesn't subscribe to tabbed extras like Bills, Memebers & Votes, etc.
