GovTrack.us: Tracking the U.S. Congress Congressional Research Service The Congressional Research Service (CRS) serves as shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process — from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities. CRS approaches complex topics from a variety of perspectives and examines all sides of an issue. CRS services come in many forms: reports on major policy issues tailored confidential memoranda, briefings and consultations seminars and workshops expert congressional testimony responses to individual inquiries With public policy issues growing more complex, the need for insightful and comprehensive analysis has become vital. Congressional Research Service Annual Report, FY 2012 (PDF, 223 KB). To view PDFs
U.S. Code United States Code The United States Code is the codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States. It is divided by broad subjects into 51 titles and published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. FDsys contains virtual main editions of the U.S. Of the 51 titles, the following titles have been enacted into positive (statutory) law: 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 23, 28, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 44, 46, 49, and 51. FedStats Government Spending in United States: Federal State Local for 2011 - Charts Tables History
About the Legislative Branch Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution establishes the legislative or law making branch of government with the formation of a bicameral Congress. This system provides checks and balances within the legislative branch. Only after much debate did the Founding Fathers agree on the creation of the House of Representatives and the Senate. A major issue was how representation in the legislative body would be determined. Delegates to the Constitutional Convention from larger and more populated states argued for the Virginia Plan that called for congressional representation should be based on a state's population. Members of Congress are now elected by a direct vote of the people of the state they represent. Agencies that provide support services for the Congress are also part of the legislative branch.
Deschutes County NTIS - National Technical Information Service Influence Explorer State of Oregon View top services for Payments View top services for Forms View top services for Licenses View top services for Drivers U.S. Federal Government Contact Federal Government Departments and Agencies A-Z Index - If you know the name of the federal government department or agency you're looking for, get contact information through our A-Z index. Back to Top How the U.S. Government Is Organized The Constitution of the United States divides the federal government into three branches to ensure a central government in which no individual or group gains too much control: Legislative – Makes laws (Congress)Executive – Carries out laws (President, Vice President, Cabinet)Judicial – Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and Other Courts) Each branch of government can change acts of the other branches as follows: The president can veto laws passed by Congress.Congress confirms or rejects the president's appointments and can remove the president from office in exceptional circumstances.The justices of the Supreme Court, who can overturn unconstitutional laws, are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Legislative Branch Executive Branch