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Constitution of the United States


  
 
 
Legislation

Article I, section I of the Constitution grants all legislative powers to Congress. The chief function of Congress is the multi-step process of making laws. In addition, the Senate has the power of advice and consent with regard to treaties and nominations.


Currently Active Legislation

            Active Legislation
            Daily Floor Activity

Finding Legislation

        Research Guides
            How to. . .identify bill numbers
            How to. . .find copies of bills
        Browse:
            Active Legislation
            Congressional Bills: 103rd Congress-Present (FDsys-GPOAccess)
            Statistics & Lists: Legislation
        Search:
            Bill Summary and Status (THOMAS)

Legislative Process

            Learning About the Legislative Process
            The Legislative Process (House)
            Enactment of a Law
            How Our Laws Are Made (pdf)

    Senate's Role

            Senate Legislative Process
            Legislative Process on the Senate Floor: An Introduction (pdf)
            How a Senate Bill Becomes a Law (pdf)
            Flow of Business: Typical Day on the Senate Floor (pdf)

Compiling a Legislative History

            Federal Legislative History Research (LLSDC)
            History of Bills (Fdsys-GPOAccess)
            Key to Versions of Printed Legislation

Historic Legislation

        Civil Rights Legislation
            The District of Columbia Compensated Emancpation Act
            The Civil War and Reconstruction Amendments to the Constitution
            Civil Rights Act of 1875
            Civil Rights Act of 1964
        The Pacific Railway Act of 1862
        A Giant Leap for All Mankind
        The Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution
        The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution

Related Items

            Appropriations Bills,   Budget,   Cloture,   Filibuster,    Laws & Regulations,   Rules & Procedures,   Vetoes,   Votes