Basic Reference Sources for Congressional Offices
An Annotated Selection of Publications and Services

Maureen Bearden,
Senior Research Librarian
Congressional Reference Division

December 29, 1994

95-57C

This report has been designed for the use of congressional staff searching for information on a wide variety of subjects, from Government data to English grammar to information sought on behalf of constituents. It provides listings of books, periodicals, agencies, and electronic resources that can provide the desired information. The report also serves to direct congressional staff to a variety of related CRS products for further research and information.

The information provided relates to six major areas of interest: management of a congressional office, the organization and operation of Congress, legislative responsibilities, relations with the executive branch, services to constituents, and general reference sources, including electronic resources.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INTRODUCTION

 

CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT

 

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF CONGRESS

BASIC REFERENCE SOURCES ON CONGRESS

CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTORIES

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT INFORMATION

SELECTED CRS PRODUCTS ON THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF CONGRESS

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

INFORMATION ON DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

SERVICES TO CONSTITUENTS

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

TOURISTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

GENERAL REFERENCE SOURCES

ALMANACS AND CONCISE ENCYCLOPEDIAS

ATLASES

DICTIONARIES AND THESAURI

Desk Dictionaries

Unabridged Dictionary

Thesauri and Synonym Dictionaries

DIRECTORIES
ETIQUETTE AND PROTOCOL
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
HOLIDAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
NEWS MEDIA
POSTAL INFORMATION
QUOTATIONS
STATE GOVERNMENTS
STATISTICS
WRITERS' AND SECRETARIES' HANDBOOKS
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

CRS PRODUCTS CITED IN THIS REPORT

 

INDEX OF TITLES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT

INTRODUCTION

This guide to sources of information has been prepared to assist staffs in setting up and operating a congressional office. The information provided relates to six major areas of interest: management of a congressional office, the organization and operation of Congress, legislative responsibilities, relations with the executive branch, services to constituents, and general reference sources.

Many of the publications cited are automatically provided to congressional offices; some are available from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) in accordance with provisions of Title 44, U.S. Code. Other documents can be obtained free from the House and Senate Document Rooms. In addition, many Federal departments and agencies will provide complimentary copies of their publications to congressional offices upon request.

CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT

The primary sources of information on the organization and operation of Senate and House offices are the administrative handbooks.

Congressional Handbook; U.S. House of Representatives Edition

Prepared by the Committee on Oversight, the House Handbook provides "the regulations regarding allowances and expenses and a description of the resources available to each Member of Congress and Committee for the conduct of official business." The House Handbook is distributed to Representatives and Delegates by the Committee on Oversight.

Congressional Handbook; U.S. Senate Edition

Prepared by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, the Senate Handbook "provides in a single source a compilation of the allowances and services accorded by law and by custom to United States Senators, as well as detailed discussions of office functions, including information management, reception, casework, grants and projects, and press." The Senate Handbook is distributed to Senators by the Committee on Rules and Administration.

 

 

United States House of Representatives Telephone Directory. Washington, GPO. Irregular. $18.

 

United States Senate Telephone Directory. Washington, GPO. Irregular. $12.

 

The following books are useful for their discussion of various aspects of congressional office operations and staffing. The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF), a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization (telephone 202-546-0100), gives one copy of any new (or revised) publication free of charge to each Member of Congress. Newly elected Members and Senators also receive copies of selected CMF publications.

 

A Congressional Intern Handbook. Washington, Congressional Management Foundation, 1989. $10.

"This nuts-and bolts guide to working in a congressional office is used by hundreds of offices to orient each wave of new interns. It presents the do's and don'ts, where's and why's of Capitol Hill in a succinct, yet comprehensive . . . style."

Frontline Management: A Guide for Congressional District/State Offices. Washington, Congressional Management Foundation, 1989. $10.

"This book discusses the various functions of district/state offices-- casework, projects and grantsmanship, scheduling, planning events--and provides congressional offices guidance for improving these functions in their offices. The book also provides general advice on managing district/state offices."

Setting Course: A Congressional Management Guide. Washington, Congressional Management Foundation, 1994. $15.

This manual is in its fifth edition and "is a comprehensive guide to setting up and managing a congressional office for newly elected Members of Congress and key aides. Veteran offices also draw heavily upon the management advice it offers."

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF CONGRESS

The broad subject area of Congress and the legislative process is covered by various reference works and CRS products. This section will discuss the standard reference sources on Congress. Many of these reference sources, particularly in the area of legislative procedure, are described in other CRS reports. In order to avoid unnecessary duplication, the final portion of this section, "Selected CRS Products on the Organization and Operation of Congress," is an annotated bibliography of other CRS products on Congress.

BASIC REFERENCE SOURCES ON CONGRESS

 

Congress A to Z. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1993. $125.

This 560-page book is a complement to CQ's massive guide to Congress. In dictionary format it provides short entries on congressional vocabulary, such as "adjournment" and "consent calendar." It also provides brief histories of the major committees.

Congress and Its Members, by Roger H. Davidson and Walter J. Oleszak. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1994. $31.95.

". . . The authors analyze new developments and fresh research findings in connection with nearly every aspect of Congress. Recent reform efforts and controversies over redistricting . . . are two such examples."

Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process, by Walter J. Oleszek. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1989. $23.95.

"The objective in this book is to examine how the contemporary Congress makes laws and how its rules and procedures shape public policy."

Congressional Quarterly [CQ] Weekly Report. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, Inc. Weekly. $1,350 annual subscription.

This periodical provides news and analyses on congressional activity, including articles on major legislation, House and Senate roll call votes, and texts of selected Presidential messages and news conferences. Indexes and special reports are included in the subscription price.

Congressional Quarterly Almanac. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, Inc. Annual. $215.

This publication "chronicles the course of major legislation and national politics." It includes membership lists for all committees and subcommittees, vote studies, key presidential and other texts, complete listing of the year's public laws, and a complete set of roll call votes for the House and Senate during the congressional session.

Congressional Quarterly Guide to Congress. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1991. $199.95.

With over 1,000 pages, this volume provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. Congress, covering its history, congressional powers and functions, the legislative process, congressional procedures, and support agencies in depth. It is well organized and indexed. Each section has its own bibliography.

Encyclopedia of the American Legislative System. New York, C. Scribner's Sons, 1994. 3 v. $300.

This three-volume treatise contains studies of the principal structures, processes, and policies of Congress and the State legislatures since the colonial era.

Encyclopedia of the United States Congress. New York, Simon and Schuster, 1994. 4 v. $295.

This has "1,000 original articles and is an accessible, authoritative reference tool. Fully cross-referenced, with bibliography following each article and a comprehensive index of names, concepts, and terms."

Vital Statistics on Congress 1993-1994. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1993. $44.95. Biennial.

This publication brings together various statistics and barometers of change on the congressional scene in one book. It consists of brief textual explanation of the many tables and graphs on apportionment, party alignment, legislative activities, seniority, campaign expenditures, etc.

CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTORIES

Congressional staff might find these directories helpful in their contacts with other congressional offices.

 

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-1989. Washington, GPO, 1989. $82.

This volume provides an official paragraph-long biographical sketch of every Member of Congress through the 100th Congress. It also provides useful historical information, such as the meeting places, times, and participants of the Continental Congress.

Congressional Directory. Washington, GPO. Biennial. $20.

This directory provides the addresses and telephone listings for both the legislative and executive branches, along with biographical information on the current Members of Congress, an abbreviated listing of the Federal agencies, maps of congressional districts, lists of foreign embassies, the ZIP codes of each congressional district, and statistical information on Congress. It is a wealth of information compacted into a single volume.

Congressional Staff Directory. Mt. Vernon, Va., Staff Directories, Ltd. Semiannual. $79.

This privately published directory contains some of the information that is also included in GPO's Congressional Directory and the Congressional Yellow Book, another commercial venture. It is color-coded for easier use. Unlike the others, it provides a listing of local and State political figures (for example, the telephone number and address of El Paso's mayor). It also provides a listing of Hill organizations like the Ladies of the Senate and the Capitol Hill Toastmasters Club, and biographies of congressional staff.

Congressional Yellow Book. Washington, Monitor Publishing Co. Quarterly. $235 annual subscription.

This directory provides an extensive listing of congressional offices, committees, support agencies, and member organizations. It lacks many of the features of the two directories listed above, but since it is published four times a year, it is the most up-to-date. Some of its unique features include photographs of each Member (also found in the Congressional Pictorial Directory, printed at the beginning of each new Congress), a listing of various informal congressional organizations, and the jurisdictions of each congressional committee.

1993-1994 Directory of the United States Association of Former Members of Congress. Washington, United States Association of Former Members of Congress. Irregular.

This directory contains current information about the 572 members of this organization. Information includes addresses, residence and business telephone numbers, party affiliation, specific dates of service, and the number of the Congress to which the former Member was first elected.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT INFORMATION

Useful information on Members of Congress and on the social, economic, and political climate of the States and congressional districts may be found in the following:

 

Almanac of American Politics. Washington, National Journal. Biennial. $59.95.

This book is very similar in structure and purpose to Politics in America (see below). Its unique features include a brief summary of the most recent Presidential election and a slightly greater emphasis on State politics and statistics, including gubernatorial election results for the past two elections and a breakdown of Federal expenditures within the State. It also features census demographic charts and campaign finance charts furnished by the FEC.

Politics in America. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, Inc. Biennial. $84.95.

This publication provides a State-by-State portrait of congressional districts and current Members of Congress, including maps, photos, district and State demographic information, and a two-to-five page analysis of each Member's political history and agenda. In separate tables there are analyses of key votes, rankings, campaign finances, and committee appointments. The book also features a listing of House and Senate Members by seniority and a guide to the pronunciation of Members' names.

There are various 1990 Census publications from the Department of Commerce's Bureau of the Census which provide useful information on congressional districts. Inquiries about the census data and publications can be directed to the Bureau of the Census congressional liaison office at 301-763-5360.

 

Congressional District Atlas; 103rd Congress of the United States. Washington, GPO, 1993. $42.

Prepared by the Bureau of the Census, this atlas, in two volumes, presents maps showing boundaries of the congressional districts for the 103rd Congress and includes listings identifying the congressional districts in which counties and incorporated municipalities within each State are located.

Population and Housing Characteristics for the Congressional Districts of the 103rd Congress. Washington, GPO, 1993. Price varies.

For each State and the District of Columbia, there is one report which shows population and housing data for congressional districts. This data is further broken down by the various geographic entities, i.e. cities, counties, towns, etc., within each congressional district.

The following publication provides additional information on each of the 435 congressional districts:

Congressional Districts in the 1990s: A Portrait of America. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1993. $189.

This political atlas contains profiles on congressional districts, maps, and a list of U.S. ZIP codes by congressional districts in addition to other demographic information.

SELECTED CRS PRODUCTS ON THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF CONGRESS

Consult the Guide to CRS Products and the Update to the Guide to CRS Products under the subject heading "Congress" for the following and for other CRS products:

 

Congressional Scene: Selected Publications Covering the Congress (CRS Report 94-958 C)

This seven-page report outlines a selection of publications, ranging from Common Cause magazine to Roll Call, which report on congressional activity. This report provides a directory-style listing of these publications, along with prices, addresses, and a brief description.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

INFORMATION ON DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

The sources listed below will be useful to congressional offices in working with the executive branch:

 

Budget of the United States Government. Washington, GPO. Annual. $44.

This volume, prepared by the Office of Management and Budget, contains the budget message of the President and provides extensive information on the budgets of all Government agencies, departments, and offices, and the proposed Federal expenditure by function. One free copy is provided to each Member of Congress.

Federal Employees' Almanac. Reston, Va., Federal Employees' News Digest, Inc. Annual. $7.95.

This publication, similar to the Federal Personnel Guide (see below), provides detailed information on the pay, benefits, and rights of Federal and postal workers and retirees.

Federal Executive Directory. Washington, Carroll Publishing Company. Bimonthly. $197.

A keyword index and frequent updating are two useful features of this directory of Federal executives and agencies. Top agency personnel are listed by name and by agency and office.

Federal Personnel Guide. Washington, Key Communications Group, Inc. Annual. $9.95.

Information on the compensation, promotion, retirement, insurance, and other benefits for Federal employees is included in this publication, similar to Federal Employees' Almanac (see above).

Federal Regional Executive Directory. Washington, Carroll Publishing Company. Semiannual. $140.

Federal regional offices are listed, as well as district offices of Members of Congress, key personnel of the Federal judiciary, and contacts for military bases. An index by city and State is included.

Federal Register. Washington, GPO. Daily Monday through Friday. $490 annual subscription ($444 without indexes and other aids).

This publication contains Presidential actions, Executive orders, department and agency orders and regulations, notices of meetings, and other notices. It is published on weekdays by the Office of the Federal Register. Up to five free subscriptions may be obtained upon written request to the Director of the Office of the Federal Register. The Finding Aids Office at the Federal Register (202-523-5227) can identify the page and date of recent items appearing in the Federal Register. Questions regarding Federal Register subscriptions can be answered by calling 202-523-5243.

Federal Regulatory Directory. Washington, Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1994. $139.95.

Major regulatory agencies are extensively profiled and the responsibilities of other regulatory agencies, both independent and within executive departments, are summarized. Lists of telephone contacts, information resources, and regional offices are given for each agency. A guide to finding regulations and a subject index are also helpful. Published every four years.

Federal Yellow Book. Washington, Monitor Publishing Company. Quarterly. $225.

This comprehensive directory lists all Federal agencies, from Cabinet officials to regional offices of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. It features both a general and name index.

National Journal. Washington, National Journal. Weekly. $839 annual subscription.

This periodical provides information on important executive branch and congressional actions; emphasis is placed on the impact of these decisions. Each issue highlights one or more major subjects, as well as listing recent actions. Semiannual indexes and The Capital Source are included.

United States Government Manual. Washington, GPO. Annual. $30.

This volume, revised annually by the Office of the Federal Register, contains descriptions of the agencies and departments of the Federal Government. It also contains lists of selected Government publications, brief histories of selected agencies, and the names of major Government officials. Organizational charts are also provided. Twelve free copies are automatically provided to each Member of Congress by the Office of the Federal Register (telephone 202-523-5243). Committees may submit requests in writing under the signature of the chairman.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents. Washington, GPO. Weekly. $65 annual subscription.

Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Register, it contains the text of Presidential statements, messages, and other actions. A cumulative index by subject and name is provided. Complimentary copies for official use may be requested by Members of Congress by writing to the Director of the Office of the Federal Register.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

Many of the publications issued by the Federal departments and agencies are useful to congressional offices in their legislative work and in responding to constituents. The following publications are helpful in keeping track of new publications and in ordering copies:

 

Catalog of Publications and Subscriptions for Business. Washington, GPO. Quarterly. Free.

The most popular business books published by GPO are described under subject headings, such as "import/export," "patents & trademarks," and "employment, health & safety." Order forms and a list of U.S. Government bookstores are included.

U.S. Government Information. Washington, GPO. Quarterly. Free.

Popular Government publications, periodicals, and electronic information products are described under subject headings, such as "business/jobs/workplace," "environmental science/energy," and "health." Order forms and a list of U.S. Government bookstores are included.

Where to Get Publications from the Executive and Independent Agencies: A Directory of Sources for Official Documents (CRS Report 95-54 C)

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Washington, GPO. Annual. $50.

This two-volume looseleaf catalog provides descriptions of ". . . federal programs, projects, services and activities which provide assistance or benefits to the American public." Information includes eligibility requirements and how to apply. It is prepared annually by the General Services Administration (telephone 202-501-1250). One free copy is sent to each Member of Congress.

Consolidated Federal Funds Report. Washington, GPO. Annual. vol. I. County Areas. $7.50. vol. II. Subcounty Areas. $21.

Federal Expenditures by State. Washington, GPO. Annual. $4.75

These two titles are prepared by the Bureau of the Census and are the latest versions of Geographic Distribution of Federal Funds, which was published annually for fiscal years 1968-1980. Tables cover direct Federal payments to individuals, Federal salaries, general revenue sharing, grant awards, procurement contract awards, and loan and insurance programs.

SERVICES TO CONSTITUENTS

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

In responding to mail from constituents, congressional offices will find the following sources useful:

Some of the publications previously cited, e.g., Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, and some of the general reference publications will also be helpful to office staff in responding to constituent requests.

Some executive departments and agencies make available in quantity lists of their most popular publications, which constituents may purchase from GPO or examine in a local depository library. GPO makes available in quantity lists of popular Government publications by subject. GSA also provides congressional offices, on request, with multiple copies of the Consumer Information Catalog, a subject listing of free and inexpensive Federal Government publications of consumer interest, which constituents may order from the Consumer Information Center in Pueblo, Colorado.

Additional useful information for responding to constituents' requests may be found in the Congressional Handbooks previously mentioned. Included is information on availability to educational institutions of surplus books from the Library of Congress, and availability of allotted publications, which include the Congressional Record, the Congressional Directory, and others.

TOURISTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

The yellow pages of the District of Columbia telephone book list popular attractions with information on hours of opening and closing, the availability of tours, and the addresses of the facilities; also provided is the following information of interest to tourists: recreation areas, seating diagrams of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and the USAir Arena, maps of the surrounding localities and the Capital Beltway. Information on special events, such as concerts, is published daily in the Washington Post and the Washington Times.

The following additional information may be of particular interest to congressional offices:

The Capitol--free tours are given daily 9-3:45 every 15 minutes. Current information on opening and closing hours and tours is available by calling ext. 56827.

 

Library of Congress--current information on special exhibitions, regular and special tours (groups larger than 10 should make reservations in advance), and hours of opening and closing are available from the Tour Office at ext. 75458. A 22-minute orientation film (open captioned) is shown in the Visitors' Orientation Theater in LM-139 of the Madison Building.

Tours are also available at a number of Government agencies, including the FBI, the State Department, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Voice of America. The FBI (telephone 202-324-3447) also provides special congressional tours for constituents. Information on these and other tours may be found in the Congressional Handbooks or by calling the respective congressional liaison or public information office.