Finding information by branch of government
As you'll remember from civics, the US government is divided into three branches that have different, interlocking responsibilities in running the country.
When looking for government information, it can be useful to remember this division of labor. Government information produced by these governmental actions stem from the appropriate branch:
- Regulations that determine how the laws are enforced are developed in the Executive Branch. This branch, through its various agencies, also publishes a variety of reports, consumer information, maps, statistics, etc.
- Proposed laws and the deliberative process (hearings, etc.) surrounding them are produced by the Legislative Branch (Congress)
- The Constitutionality of the laws, and questions of fairness and interpretation in their enforcement, is determined by the Judicial Branch, consisting of the system of federal courts, crowned by the Supreme Court (remember that there are other systems of courts performing similar functions for the states and for local areas)
Executive
The Executive box focuses on materials about the presidency. You will find other executive agency materials under specific subjects on this guide or via govinfo.gov on the Major Resources box.
- WhiteHouse.govMain page of the current President of the United States.
- Compilation of Presidential Documents1992 - present. "Collection consists of the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents and the Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents which are the official publications of materials released by the White House Press Secretary."
- Public Papers of the Presidents1991-2013. "Contains the papers and speeches of the President of the United States." The Blume Library has printed volumes from Hoover to Obama shelved 3rd Floor, call number J 82..
Database
- HeinOnline This link opens in a new windowHeinOnline is Hein's premier online product, with more than 70 million pages of legal history available in an online, fully-searchable, image-based format. HeinOnline bridges the gap in legal history by providing comprehensive coverage from the inception of more than 1,600 law and law-related periodicals.
Focuses on law journals, case law, and government documents.
Some United States collections include the Congressional Record, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, and parts of the Serial Set. Other notable collections are the US state collections, Canon law materials, international treaties and agreements, English legal materials, and United Nations legal materials.
Databases by Category: Canadian Content, Case Law, Current Content Journals, International Resources, International Treaties and Agreements, U.K. Content, U.S. Federal Content, U.S. State Content
Learn more about this resource at: https://lib.stmarytx.edu/HeinOnline
Legislative
The Legislature makes laws for the country. This box lists a few key resources for research. See the related Blume Library guides for more detailed information and links.
- Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)1996 to the present. The CFR is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register.
- Congress.govOfficial website for U.S. federal legislative branch. Includes information on bills, committees, the recent Congressional Record, nominations, and current treaties.
- Congressional Record (Bound)Covers 1873-2013. The CR Bound edition is the collected, repaginated, and permanent edition. One volume per Congressional session.
- Congressional Record (Daily)From 1994 to present. Official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session.
- Federal Register1936 - present. Official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents.
Database
- HeinOnline This link opens in a new windowHeinOnline is Hein's premier online product, with more than 70 million pages of legal history available in an online, fully-searchable, image-based format. HeinOnline bridges the gap in legal history by providing comprehensive coverage from the inception of more than 1,600 law and law-related periodicals.
Focuses on law journals, case law, and government documents.
Some United States collections include the Congressional Record, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, and parts of the Serial Set. Other notable collections are the US state collections, Canon law materials, international treaties and agreements, English legal materials, and United Nations legal materials.
Databases by Category: Canadian Content, Case Law, Current Content Journals, International Resources, International Treaties and Agreements, U.K. Content, U.S. Federal Content, U.S. State Content
Learn more about this resource at: https://lib.stmarytx.edu/HeinOnline
Blume Library Guides
Judiciary
- Biographical Directory of Federal Judges1789-present. Covers federal judges who have served in courts from the District level and above.
- Hein Online - U.S. Supreme Court Library"Complete coverage of the official U.S. Reports bound volumes as well as preliminary prints, slip opinions, and books and periodicals related to the U.S. Supreme Court"
- Supreme Court of the United StatesOfficial court website with texts of opinions, current dockets, etc.
