How To...
Order the Watergate Tapes
Get your own copies of the "Smoking Gun" or "Cancer on the Presidency" Oval Office conversations that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974. Available from NARA.Buy Government Surplus
Locate and bid on thousands of surplus items from the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service.Complain!
Been scammed, ripped off, hurt by an unsafe product? Here, you'll find out where and how to send complaints and reports to the government.Contribute (Legally) to a Political Campaign
By November of 1999 the twelve top candidates for President 2000 had raised over $144 million. Find out how much you can legally contribute to the candidate of your choice.Do Business With the Government
Access the procurement, contracting, and grants information of all Executive Branch and major independent agencies.Find a Government Job
Resources for applying for and getting Federal Jobs. Forms, books, tips, job searching.Find Grants
From federal and private sources.Find and Recover Unclaimed Property
Approximately 26 million Americans are the rightful owners of over $10 billion in unclaimed property. Some of it could be yours.Get Copies of Old IRS Tax Returns
Instructions and the form needed to order copies of old tax returns and other records from the IRS. From your About.com Guide.Get Money to Start or Expand a Small Business
No Federal grants for starting a small business are currently available, but the SBA offers several low interest, flexible loans.Get Your New Baby a Greeting Card from The White House
The President and First Lady will send very nice signed greeting card to new babies. It's a free service. Here you'll find the details and a sample card.Get a Patent or Trademark
How do you get a patent, or register a trademark? Exactly what are your rights to "intellectual property?" The Patent and Trademark Office has your answers.Request Information Under the Freedom of Information Act
This 1966 Act changed our access to government information from a "need to know" to "right to know" situation. Find out how to request government information here.Request Information Under the Privacy Act
Yes, the government collects information about all of us. But, we have the right to see most of it and correct it if it's wrong. Here's how to do it.Write Letters to Government Officials
Tips for writing strong and effective letters to our government officials.Write to The Supreme Court
They do not have email, but you can write letters to the Justices.
Census 2000
Census 2000: Apportionment and Representation
Find out how census data is used to determine each state's representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and to draw state Congressional Districts.Census 2000 Fast Facts
What's the schedule for Census 2000? What's on the Census form? What is there to be counted?Why Should You Answer the Census?
Find out how your community depends on a complete and accurate census.Jobs at the Census Bureau? Count on It!
Thousands of full and part time workers across the nation are being hired now.
Congress / Legislation
Salaries and Benefits of U.S. Congress
Presidential Pay and Compensation tells how much the president makes. But what about the 535 men and women who make our laws?For the Record
Interesting, controversial, even profound official remarks delivered by Members of Congress in open session.Bill Tracker
Simple web tools for tracking bills through Congress.Congress Today
Votes, agendas, floor debates. Follow the action in Congress.Congressional Review
A summary of the previous day's actions of both House and Senate.Complete Summary of Legislative Activity
Summary of the activities of Congress from January 1, 1999 through October 29, 1999.Congressional Committee System
The Congressional Committee system provides very necessary legislative oversight.Federal Budget Process
Preparing and approving America's budget is one of the most important and difficult jobs of the President and Congress. How does it all come together?The Legislative Process
A basic explanation of how our laws are made.Separating Church and State
Why the First Amendment bans organized prayer in public schools and how Congress often pushes that Constitutional line.Letters to Congress
Tips for writing strong and effective letters to our government officials.Legislative Update
Updates on progress of major bills before the current Congress.Women in Congress
The US House of Representatives honors its female members with biographies and photos.
Contracting / Auctions / Sales / Grants
Grants Galore
From federal and private sources, billions in grants and aid are available.Buying Government Surplus
Locate and bid on thousands of surplus items from the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service.Federal Assistance Basics: Part 1
Over 1,300 programs offer assistance to State and local governments, organizations, and individuals. What kinds of benefits and assistance are out there?Federal Assistance Basics: Part 2
Where do you find and find out about all those grants, loans, and other forms of benefits? The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Yes, it's online.Federal Contractors Gateway
Access the procurement, contracting, and grants information of all Executive Branch and major independent agencies.
Election 2000
Political Parties
Links to the two major and six 3rd party web sites plus committees.Interest Groups and Organizations
Choose your issue and opinion and look here to find a PAC, think tank, or interest group that agrees with you.Candidates' Issues Web Pages
Handy links directly to the issues or platform statement pages of the candidates' web sites.Online Straw Poll
Who would you vote for today? Over 312,00 votes and it's close!US Senate Races
Incumbents include 19 Republicans and 14 Democrats. State-by-State Details.US House Races
Incumbents include 223 Republicans, 211 Democrats, and 1 Independent. State-by-State details.Governors Races
Incumbents include 4 Republicans and 7 Democrats. State-by-State details.Election 2000 Index
Links to these and other election resources on US Government Info/Resources and other About.com Guide Sites.
Federal Agencies
The President's Cabinet Agencies
Links to the Agencies and Secretaries that answer America's #1 civics homework question.Got A Complaint? Turn 'Em In!
Been scammed, ripped off, hurt by an unsafe product? Here, you'll find out where and how to send complaints and reports to the government.Addresses for the Supreme Court
They do not have email, but you can write letters to the Justices.Federal Reserve Banking System
With Alan Greenspan at the helm, they chart the course of economy. Read about the history, organization, and function of the Federal Reserve.State Government Web Site Index
Links to the Home Page, Agency Index, Governor, Legislature, Tax Forms, Job Information, Contracting Information, and Travel Information.
Government Jobs/Employment
US Government Job Resources
Resources for applying for and getting Federal Jobs. Forms, books, tips, job searching.Job Openings in US Government
Links to job listing web sites at dozens of Federal agencies.Jobs at the Census Bureau? Count on It!
Thousands of full and part time workers across the nation are being hired now.Hot Jobs from the Office of Personnel Management
"Need-to-fill" priority jobs -- updated every working day.About Federal Job Resumes
Your typical civilian resume probably won't get you a federal job. Find out why and what to do about it.Jobs in State Government
Links to job listings, forms, HR web sites for all 50 States and D.C.Jobs at the CIA: Updated
Along with "Clandestine Services," what kinds of jobs does the CIA offer?The Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Whether you work for the government, or want to, you need to know about the OPM.Standard Occupational Series Codes
Standard Federal job codes needed for filling out federal job application forms.Civilian Jobs in the US Military
The new "one-stop" HR sites for military jobs.
Government Web Indexes
Index to Federal Government Web Sites
Maybe the best index of US Government web sites on the Net. Hundreds of them. Agencies, Bureaus, Boards,Offices, Commissions, and more.State Government Web Site Index
Links to the Home Page, Agency Index, Governor, Legislature, Tax Forms, Job Information, Contracting Information, and Travel Information. Plus, highlights from selected states.Local Government Web Index Via About.com
City, county, and regional government Internet resources compiled by About.com expert Local and Travel Guides.
Historic Documents
Bill of Rights
Protecting the rights we need to govern ourselves.Constitution of the United States
In just four pages -- all the rules needed by a free people.Declaration of Independence
"...that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Laws and Legislation
Gun Control Laws in Canada
In Canada, all gun owners must be licensed and all guns registered. Canadian statistics indicate their laws work. Is this a glimpse into the future of U.S. gun control?Gun Control Timeline
Regulating the private sale and possession of firearms has been an issue since the day the Bill of Rights was ratified. Consider this brief history of gun control in America.Miranda: Rights of Silence
How we gained the "...right to remain silent." Read about the historic Supreme Court decision in the darkly ironic case of Ernesto Miranda.The Brady Act: The First Seven Months
In under 2 minutes, a gun dealer can check a buyer for a criminal history as required by the Brady Act. What are the potential results and how well has the system been working?Who Cannot Have a Gun in America?
According to current U.S. laws, certain persons are banned from possessing firearms. Who are these "prohibited persons"?
President of the United States
A Heartbeat Away: Presidential Succession
Learn the official line of Presidential succession, its history and use.Electoral College System
It is possible for a presidential candidate to lose the nationwide popular vote, but still be elected. Learn how the Electoral College system works and why the Founding Fathers created it.Federal Budget Process
Preparing and approving America's budget is one of the most important and difficult jobs of the President and Congress. How does it all come together?Federal Election Campaign Contribution Laws
By November of 1999 the twelve top candidates for President 2000 had raised over $144 million. Find out how much you can legally contribute to the candidate of your choice.Impeachment Trial in the Senate
The Constitution places Hamilton's "awful discretion" of an impeachment trial in the US Senate.Impeachment: Unthinkable Process
Other than waging war, no government process can be more traumatic than impeachment.New Baby Greetings from The White House
The President and First Lady will send very nice signed greeting card to new babies. It's a free service. Here you'll find the details and a sample card.Pay and Compensation of the President
Learn about the salary and benefits paid to the President. Includes a Presidential pay raise history and comparison of the President's pay to that of other US politicians.Presidents' Day
Read the Gettysburg Address, The Emancipation Proclamation, or Washington's farewell address to the people. Also pictures and biographies of Lincoln and Washington.Protecting Presidential Candidates
For 120 days before the election, the Secret Service protects the major Presidential candidates. Who decides who's "major" enough to protect and how are they protected?Threatening the President
Secret Service Agents are allowed wide latitude when deciding whether or not a given act represents a threat against the President of the United States. Find out why.The President's Cabinet Agencies
Links to the Agencies and Secretaries that answer America's #1 civics homework question.President For a Day
The "12th-and-one-half" President, David Rice Atchison -- he kept every one of his campaign promises during his 24-hour term in office.
Taxes and Tax Help
State Tax Forms
Links to sites for downloading state tax forms, publications and information.Tax Reform: Flat Tax
The Flat Tax proposal would tax all Americans 17% of their income and put the entire tax return on a post card.Tax Reform: National Retail Sales Tax Act
No more Tax Code, IRS, paycheck withholding, or tax forms. But, 15% would be added to the cost of all goods and services you buy.Taxes 1999-2000
Where to get help with your taxes and what's new this year. Also, tax reform and tax-related bills before Congress and where the presidential candidates stand on taxes.
Miscellaneous
Most Recent News Stories and Features
Convenient links to the newest material added to US Government Info/Resources. News stories and featurs.Antitrust Violations: How to Detect and Report Them
These crimes are far more common than most people realize and hurt both consumers and business owners. Learn how to protect yourself.Black History Month in US Government
"Heritage and Horizons: The African American Legacy and the Challenges of the 21st Century" Learn who started Black History Month and see how it is observed on the Internet.Unclaimed Property: Finding it and Claiming it
Approximately 26 million Americans are the rightful owners of over $10 billion in unclaimed property. Some of it could be yours.The Microsoft Trail: About Antitrust Laws
A Federal Court declares Microsoft to be an illegal monopoly under the Sherman Antitrust Act. Learn what this Act says and why Microsoft may have run afoul of it.Pictures of Missing Kids
A constantly changing display of missing children from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's database. Click the photo for more information. Requires Java. From your About.com Guide.And I Quote... Quotations On and From Government
People in government talk about government. Some things they say are memorable for their wisdom and insight, others for their pure goofiness.Got A Complaint? Turn 'Em In!
Been scammed, ripped off, hurt by an unsafe product? Here, you'll find out where and how to send complaints and reports to the government.Food Stamp Facts
Yes, there are people who abuse and defraud food stamp benefits, but this program is one of our most important and successful public assistance programs.Patent & Trademark Office
How do you get a patent, or register a trademark? Exactly what are your rights to "intellectual property?" The Patent and Trademark Office has your answers.INS Citizenship Test Questions
100 questions on America and U.S. Government that have been used by the Immigration and Naturalization Service in testing applicants for citizenship. Give it a try.Falling Through the Net
An extensive and revealing Commerce Dept. report on which Americans use the Internet, why, and how.United States Militia
Current US law does provide for a civilian militia and you may already be a member.Monetary Moments
Who's picture is on each American bill? What is the largest US bill ever printed? Who was Salmon P. Chase? All these answers plus the latest anti-counterfeiting measures.Current US Statistics and Vital Information
Links to real-time population and economic data, "most wanted" lists and more to come.
