U.S. Congress: Actions and Information
House of Representatives Allows Use of iPads, BlackBerrys on Floor
Find out why the House of Representatives began allowing members to use iPads and iPhones on the floor. See when the House of Representatives began allowing members to use BlackBerrys and other electronic devices on the floor. Learn about the history of decorum on the floor of the House of Representatives.
New BLM 'Wild Lands' Policy Disputed
A new policy allowing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to bypass Congress in designating millions of acres of publicly owned lands as “wild lands” with use restrictions similar to those in Congressionally designated “wilderness areas” is being opposed by lawmakers from the western states.
Gabrielle Giffords Bio
Read a biography of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Learn about the shooting attack on Gabrielle Giffords in 2011. Explore Gabrielle Giffords' positions on major issues and see why Gabrielle Giffords was being harassed.
History of the US Federal Income Tax
While the federal income tax did not become permanent until 1913, taxes, in some form, have been a part of American history since our earliest days as a nation. Learn about the history of the income tax in America.
ACORN and Your Money
Find out how much taxpayer money went to ACORN. Read about how the grassroots group spent the money. Learn why Congress cut off funding for the organization. See how the controversy surrounding the group played out.
Why the Congressional Reform Act Will Never Pass
Find out what the Congressional Reform Act is. Read the text of a proposed Congressional Reform Act. Discover why the Congressional Reform Act does not have a chance of passing Congress. See what's wrong with the Congressional Reform Act.
Should Congress Raise the Gas Tax?
Find out how much American drivers pay in the gas tax. See how much the gas tax has gone up over the years. Learn about the history of the levy. Read an explanation of why automakers feel the amount should increase.
Qaddafi's Pen Pals in Congress
Read about Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi's letter to Congress in 2011. Find out who the Qaddafi letter was addressed to. See why Qaddafi wrote to Congress and read what he had to say.
Longest Filibusters - 5 Longest Filibusters
The longest filibusters in American political history can be measured in hours, not minutes. They were conducted on the floor of the U.S. Senate during charged debates on civil rights, public debt and the military.
In a filibuster, a senator may continue to speak indefinitely to prevent a final vote on the bill. Some read the phone book, cite recipes for fried oysters, or read the Declaration of Independence.
So who conducted the longest filibusters? How long did the longest filibusters last? Which important debates were put on hold because of the longest filibusters?
Let's take a look.
Did Photo Catch Members of Congress Playing Solitaire?
Find out if there really is a picture showing members of Congress playing solitaire. Discover who really was playing solitaire in a photo that some claimed showed congress playing solitaire. Learn about the history of the photo some claimed showed Congress playing solitaire.
John Boehner Crying - Why is John Boehner Crying
John Boehner Crying - Why is John Boehner Crying
What is the Super Congress?
Find out what a Super Congress is. See who was appointed to the panel in 2011. Learn about the duties of lawmakers who served on the elite committee. Read about the controversy that led to a Super Congress in the first place.
Congressional Majority and Minority Leaders and Whips
The roles of the majority and minority leaders and whips in the U.S. Congress.
What is a Filibuster in the US Senate?
What is a Filibuster in the US Senate?
Letters to Congress
Tips for writing effective letters to Congress
Congressional Allowances
Along with salaries and benefits, members of the US Congress get certain allowances in support of their duties.
Annual Salaries of Top US Government Officials
Current annual salaries of top elected and appointed US government officials, along with the annual salaries for these officials in 2000 or 2001.
US House of Representatives Agenda
Summary of the daily scheduled activities of the U.S. House of Representatives
Senate Agenda
Summary of the daily scheduled activities of the U.S. Senate
The Legislative Process
How the Congressional Legislative Process Works
Congress Today
Daily schedules and activities of the House and Senate, plus loads of information on the legislative system. From your About.com Guide.
Salaries and Benefits of U.S. Congress
How much do Members of Congress make? Do they pay Social Security? Do they draw retirement? From your About.com Guide.
About the United States Congress
The formation, organization and leadership of the United States Congress -- House of Representatives and Senate -- as described in the U.S. Government Manual.
How Bills Become Laws
From introduction to presidential signature or veto, a simple step-by-step of the legislative process from your About.com Guide.
Congress Votes Itself a Pay Raise
Want a raise? Don't beg to your boss. Just vote yourself one. That's what the United States Congress just did. For the fifth year in a row, lawmakers voted not to reject their automatic "cost of living" raise that will increase the annual salary of members by $3,400 to a total of $158,103 per year.
Letters to Congress
Tips for writing effective letters to elected officials. From your about.com Guide.
Replacement Congress?
What if, on Sept. 11, 2001, United flight 93 had crashed into its probable target, the U.S. Capitol Building, killing or disabling hundreds of Senators and Representatives? How quickly could Congress have recovered, if at all?
How to Order a Flag Flown Over the Capitol
U.S. Flags flown over the Capitol Building can be ordered from any U.S. Senator or Representative. Here's how.
Senator Attacks Water Sucking Weed
A US Senator has declared legislative war against a fast-spreading, non-native plant he says threatens to dry up water supplies from Colorado to California.
Why We have a House and Senate
Why do we have two chambers in Congress, the House and Senate? Since members of both are elected by, and represent the people, wouldn't the lawmaking process be more efficient if bills were considered by only one body? From your About Guide.
CongressLink
A classroom-friendly service for teachers and students of history, politics, civics, and related subjects in upper elementary schools through college who want to pursue the study of Congress.
The Great Compromise of 1787
Perhaps the greatest debate undertaken by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 centered on how many representatives each state should have in the new government's lawmaking branch, the U.S. Congress. As is often the case in government and politics, resolving a great debate, required a Great Compromise.
Salaries and Benefits of US Congress Members
Salaries and benefits paid to Members of the US Congress
Biographical Directory of Congress -- 1774 to Present
A Congressional search engine listing biographical information on every person who has ever served in the United States Senate, House of Representatives, President, or Vice President.
Center for Responsive Politics
A non-partisan, non-profit group in D.C. that studies the effect of money on Congressional actions. Campaign contributions and Congressional travel are just 2 of their databases.
Congressional Budget Office
Since 1974, the CBO has been providing Congress with objective, timely, nonpartisan analyses needed for economic and budget decisions. A very good idea, indeed.
Congressional Research Service Reports
Go here for research on the legislative session, the Federal Budget process, Presidential actions, and much more. Offers great reports by government authorities.
Constitution of the United States
In just four pages, the Founding Fathers layout an owner's manual for America that has been changed only 27 times in over 200 years.
Mojo 400 Biggest Congressional Contributors
Can you really buy Congress? Mother Jones News has compiled this list of 400 corporations and individuals who give the most money. You can also search the list.
Code of Ethics for US Government Service
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary,” write Hamilton and Madison in Federalist 51. While people are not angels, those who work for or serve in the U.S. government are expected to adhere to these ten ethical and moral standards.
Federal Regulations: Laws Behind the Acts
The main functional laws behind the sweeping Acts of Congress are found in 134,723 pages of ‘federal regulations’ created not by Congress, but by the government agencies. Read about the process and control of federal rulemaking. From your About Guide.
Rules of the US House of Representatives
From the Library of Congress, the rules by which legislation is introduced and debated in the House.
Standing Rules of the Senate
Full text of the rules by which the Senate operates. Look here to find out how the Senate ratifies treaties and considers nominations by the President.
Thomas Legislative Information Center
From the Library of Congress. Information on the law-making process, current bills under consideration, complete schedules of Congressional committees.
U.S. House of Representatives
Current activities of the House along with email addresses of members and links to subcommittees.
U.S. Senate
The official Senate Web site. Senators' email addresses, schedules and more.
Who are House Pages?
U.S. Rep. Mark Foley (R-Florida) resigned his position on Sept. 29, amid allegations that he had exchanged sexually explicit emails with teenage congressional Pages. As the Justice Department prepares to investigate whether or not criminal charges might be warranted in the scandal, let’s take a quick look at the unique and historic House Page...
In Modern Times, Congress is Reluctant to Punish its Own
Refer to this history of ethics violations to learn more about how Congress punishes its members. Find out who were the most serious ethics violators in the history of the House and Senate. See which member of Congress was punished for ethics violations and which were not.
What Law is John Edwards Accused of Breaking?
Read about the John Edwards indictment. Find out what law the former presidential candidate is alleged to have broken. See how Edwards responded to the allegations. Explore the legal arguments in the case.