Legislative Histories: Overview

A legislative history

• traces the events leading to the passage of a Public Law;
• documents the issues and facts considered by Congress in reaching its decision; and
• includes publications such as reports from committees and the record of testimony at public hearings.

A legislative history is consulted to resolve questions as to how a law should be interpreted or applied. The original process of crafting the law is examined to determine legislative intent. Those seeking to modify existing laws or to enact related legislation may also review legislative histories to gain insights about the key issues and to identify likely opponents and supporters, both within and outside Congress.

Government Information Clearinghouse & Handout Exchange provides additional guides with more details about legislative histories.

UC Berkeley provides several Congressional Research Tutorials:

• Find a bill (1989+)
• Find a hearing
• Find Congressional Debate (1873+)

Start with these basic overviews of the legislative process:

• How Laws are Made (Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids)
• I'm Just a Bill (Schoolhouse Rock song sung by Jack Sheldon)

then visit ProQuest Congressional for a chart and step-by-step review:

• How does a Bill Become Law

or the following resources from Congress:

• How Our Laws Are Made (House)
• Enactment of a Law (Senate)
• The Legislative Process (Congress) - 9 short videos [videos might not run in Internet Explorer]
• U.S. Congress legislative status steps (Library of Congress)

or the following resources:

• A Bill Becomes a Law (Dirksen Congressional Center)
• How Does Congress Work? (The Center on Congress at Indiana University)
• Legislative Process on the House Floor: An Introduction (CRS Report)