InfoGuides: U.S. Government Publications: Begin Your Research

Special Notice

Until further notice, access to the physical government documents collection at Fenwick Library is not available. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you need help locating any resources online, please contact Kimberly MacVaugh kmacvaug@gmu.edu.

Begin Your Research

Welcome to the US Government Publications InfoGuide. Use this guide to locate information published by the United States Government.

Fenwick Library is a Federal Depository Library. As such, the library provides public access to its government documents.

Find Government Information -- Best Places to start for government information
Find Legislative document -- Search for bills, laws, committee prints, and other congressional publications
Find Executive documents -- Research regulations, federal agencies, executive orders, presidential proclamations
Find Federal Judicial documents -- Research court cases
Find Declassified Documents -- Explore collections of declassified documents
Write & Cite -- Get help writing and citing
Get Help -- Make an appointment with your librarian

The Basic Collection

Federal Depository Libraries are required to provide public access to the "Basic Collection", which includes:

Assistance Listings (CFDA)
Database of all Federal programs available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally -recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi-public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals. Formerly the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Ben's Guide to US Government
Presents educational content for the public on the workings of the U.S. Government and U.S. history, with a focus on civics.
Budget of the US Government
Contains the budget message of the President, information about the President's budget proposals for a given fiscal year, and other budgetary publications issued throughout the fiscal year.

Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
Provides citations for historical and current U.S. government publications with links to online full text whenever available; updated daily.
View a tutorial on this database here.

Code of Federal Regulations
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) annual edition is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation.

Census Data
Starting in July 2019, data.census.gov will be the primary way to access Census Bureau data, including upcoming releases from the 2018 American Community Survey, 2017 Economic Census, 2020 Census and more. After July 1, 2019, all new data (previously released on American FactFinder) will be released on this new data platform.
View a tutorial on this database here.

Compilation of Presidential Documents
The official publications of materials released by the White House Press Secretary.
Congressional Directory
Includes biographical and directory information about members of the House and Senate, committee memberships, terms of service, and related content.
Congressional Record (Daily)
Congress.gov
Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information.
Constitution of the United States: Analysis & Interpretation
Also known as the Constitution Annotated, includes the U.S. Constitution and analysis and interpretation, with in-text annotations of cases decided by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Economic Indicators
Published monthly by the Council of Economic Advisors for the Joint Economic Committee, provides economic information on GDP, income, employment, production, business activity, prices, money, credit, security markets, Federal finance, and international statistics.
Economic Reports of the President
Annual reports from the President's Council of Economic Advisers to Congress on the state of the economy from 1947, via the Federal Reserve Archival System for Economic Research.
Federal Register
The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents.

Govinfo
Govinfo provides free public access to official publications from all three branches of the U.S. Federal Government including the Congressional Record, Hearings and Reports, the U.S. Code, the Code of Federal Regulations, and the U.S. Budget. Most documents date back from mid-1990s to the present.. This database replaced the Federal Digital System (FDSys).
View a tutorial on this database here.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
A nationally recognized source of career information designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. The Handbook is revised every two years.

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States
Official publication of the President’s addresses, writings, and remarks.
Social Security Handbook
Resource for the most common questions about Social Security.
United States Code
The codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States, divided by broad subjects into 53 titles.
United States Government Manual
The official handbook of the federal government with comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, quasi-official agencies, international organizations in which the U.S. participates, and boards, commissions, and committees.
United States Reports
Contains the final version of the opinions of the Supreme Court of the United States.
United States Statutes at Large
Contains the permanent laws enacted during each session of Congress.
USA.gov
Provides official U.S. government information and services online; arranged by topic and A-Z government agency list.

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