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Federal Legislative History Made Simple: Understand the Legislative Process

A step-by-step guide to the basics for understanding how to research federal legislative history and Congressional intent and for finding the Congressional documents at the Hofstra Law Library.

Executive Summary / Abbreviations Explanation

1. Bills -
H.R.*= House Bill
(*do not confuse with House Report-H.Rpt.)
S.=Senate Bill
example: H.R. 1 or S.1

2. Hearings
H.Hrg=House Hearing
S.Hrg=Senate Hearing
example: S.Hrg 108-383 or H.Hrg 108-383

3. Committee Reports
H.Rpt= House Report*
(*do not confuse with HR which is for House bill)
S.Rpt=Senate Report
example: H.Rpt 111-299 or S.Rpt 110-470

4. Debates
CR or Cong.Rec=Congressional Record

5.  bill goes through process in other chamber.

6. Conference Report

H.Rpt, H.Conf.Rpt=House Conference Report (may be same as for House Report)

S.Rpt=Senate Conference Report (same as for Senate Report)

example: H.Rpt 111-89

7. Presidential Signing Statement

WCPD=Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

DCPD=Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents

8.  Public Law
P.L.=Public Law
 
example: P.L. 111-148
 
 

See Bluebook Rule 13 for citing rules.

The Legislative Process Made Simple

This "old favorite" is a great 3 minute introduction to the Legislative Process.  Pay particular attention to the types of documents (see Executive Summary to the left).

For more explanation, see chart below and the Understand Documents Produced tab.

Legislative Process