In 1994 Congress created a publicly accessible website as a clearing house for information on the work of the United States Congress managed by the Library of Congress.  The "Thomas" website, named for Thomas Jefferson, is constantly updated with new information as new bills are introduced, moved through Committees, or the House or Senate.  It also provides educational resources on the processes used by Congress.  This page provides some short cut links to many of Thomas' resources for the ease of my constituents.  (All links to Thomas and other sites will open a new window.)

 

Legislation I have introduced:

 

 

Legislation I have co-sponsored:

 

 

Recorded Votes in Congress:

On Thomas, the Library of Congress keeps a list of every recorded Roll Call Vote in Congress.  This resource allows you to view how every member of Congress voted on bills where recorded votes were requested. To find a particular vote you would find the Congress and the session of that Congress when the vote was cast.  (1st session is the 1st year of the Congress, 2nd session is the second year.)  That will take you to a table of votes similar to the one seen here:

 

Roll is the "Roll Call" number each vote is assigned, they are assigned in the numerical order in which they were taken during that session. This number will also be a link to the breakdown of how each member voted on that particular bill.

 

Date is simply the date on which that vote was taken.

 

Issue is the bill number of the legislation this particular vote affected.  The bill number also serves as link to Thomas' page explaining the legislation.

 

Question is the parliamentary procedure being voted on.  It will most commonly be "On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree" which means to pass the legislation.  Thomas' webpage on enactment of a law can help you lean about other procedures that may receive a recorded vote and be listed in this column.

 

Result tells you how that vote was decided.  P means "Passed", F means "Failed", and occasional you may see an A which means "Agreed To."

 

Title/Description provides a brief explanation of what the bill under consideration was.

 

 

Thomas' is not the only resource for tracking what Congress is up to.  You may also track Congressional actions through the webpage of the Clerk of the House which, among other things provides a running record of what is being debated on the House floor right now.  

 

You can also keep track of what different Committees are up to through the US House Webpage.