This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis, instructional librarian, and Robert Brammer, senior legal information specialist. We often receive questions from patrons who are interested in researching the original intent of the framers of the United States Constitution. Since the framers were not necessarily all of one mind and, on occasion, there was no debate on certain provisions, …
This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis, instructional librarian, and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialist The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people …
This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis, instructional librarian, and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialist It is said that good fences make for good neighbors. The same might not be said for trees, which are a frequent source of litigation among neighbors. Overgrown branches, fallen leaves, and downed trees all serve to embroil neighbors in acrimonious …
This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis, instructional librarian, and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialist Planning for end of life or critical care is not a favorite topic of conversation, but it is an important one. Having health care advance directives in place can help ensure your wishes are made clear to your loved ones and …
This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialists. Compiling a federal legislative history may seem intimidating at first glance, but it does not have to be. In this Beginner’s Guide, we revisit previous posts to create a comprehensive research guide that you can use to compile your own federal legislative …
This post is coauthored by Robert Brammer and Barbara Bavis, senior legal reference specialists. We sometimes receive questions about communications sent to Congress by the president that concern legislation. Since this post pertains to legislative history, our focus is on executive communications, presidential messages, veto messages, and signing statements. If you would like to learn more about …
This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialists. Congressional documents concern a wide variety of subjects and include all papers ordered printed by the House or Senate apart from congressional committee reports. As described by the Government Publishing Office (GPO), congressional documents “may include reports of executive departments and independent organizations, …
This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialists. We have received a number of questions about congressional committee prints in the context of compiling a federal legislative history. First, it helps to understand what congressional committee prints are and how they can be helpful for legislative researchers. Congressional committee …
This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialists. Compiling a federal legislative history may seem daunting, but it does not have to be. We hope, through our last few Beginner’s Guides, that we have made this process easier for researchers. There is another, possibly less complicated, option for finding …
