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Federal Legislative History: Debates

What They Are

Floor debates in the House of Representatives and the Senate are transcribed verbatim and published in the Congressional Record.

Debates take place after the bill has been approved by the committee and sent to the full chamber with the committee's recommendation to pass the bill.

Statements by key players, such as committee chairs or bill sponsors, during floor debates are persuasive evidence of congressional intent.

Floor Debates

Where to Find Floor Debates

 

HeinOnline: U.S. Congressional Documents > Congressional Record (Permanent Edition, 1873-, v.1-) (PDF) or Congressional Record (Daily Edition, 1994-) (PDF) OR (iii) Congressional Record Index (1983-)

 

ProQuest Congressional: Search by number > Narrow results by Document > Legislative History > open document > Debates (Permanent Edition, 1873-, v. 1- (PDF)); (Daily Edition, 1985- (text))

 

WestlawNext: Legislative History >  Congressional Record (Daily Edition, 1985-)
 

FDsys: (i) Congressional Record Bound (Permanent Edition, 1999-, v. 145-) (PDF) or (ii) Congressional Record (Daily Edition, 1994-) (PDF)

Library of Congress: A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation

Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in (1) The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), (2) the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and (3) the Congressional Globe (1833-1873). These can be accessed through A Century of Lawmaking For a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates

Congress.gov 
Congressional Record Search via Words & Phrases

Congressional Record Search via Legislation > Select Congress > Narrow by Section of Congressional Record (Senate, House, Extension of Remarks).

Browse Daily Issues of the Congressional Record (101st Congress to January 1989)

Daily Digest: Congressional Record (104th Congress (1995))

Browse the Congressional Record Keyword Index.