[20020322]RS21178_立法历史：成分基本指南.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21178March 22, 2002Legislative History: A Basic Guide ForConstituentsMark GurevitzSenior Paralegal SpecialistAmerican Law DivisionSummaryThis report provides an overview of legislative history of federal legislation. Thereport briefly outlines the legislative process and then suggests where to find materialsthat describe or document a piece of legislations progress through Congress.Legal, policy and legislative researchers often study how Congress considered aparticular piece of legislation. A variety of questions may underlie this effort. Forexample: What were the policy and intent of Congress in approving a particular piece oflegislation? Which committees and Members were the lead players? What argumentswere asserted for or against the legislation and who made them? How was the legislativelanguage amended as it advanced through the congressional process? What were the voteson proposed amendments and final passage?To research these and similar questions, one must identify the legislative steps thelegislation followed and the materials that document what was done at