LibGuides: Federal Government Resources: Overview

Where to Start

The following are some of the best and most comprehensive resources containing government information. More specific resources can be found on the other tabs in this guide.

United States Government Manual This link opens in a new window
The official handbook of the Federal Government, updated to provide comprehensive and authoritative descriptions of the programs and activities of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Includes information about quasi-official agencies, international organizations with U.S. membership, and Federal boards, commissions, and committees.
govinfo This link opens in a new window
Government Publishing Office website with access to digitized documents from the federal government. (Formerly FDsys).
Includes quick links to:
- Budget of the U.S. Government
- Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) | (annual)
- Congressional Bills, Committee Prints, Hearings, Reports
- Congressional Directory
- Congressional Record
- Constitution Annotated
- Economic Indicators
- Federal Register
- Public and Private Laws
- United States Code
- United States Courts Opinions
Congress.gov This link opens in a new window
Contains legislation, Congressional Record, and Committee activities, historical and in the present.
More info on dates of coverage
USA.gov This link opens in a new window
The U.S. government's official web portal. Find brief description, contact information, and websites for all government agencies and programs. Also available are free government publications on a wide variety of topics.
Data.gov - Federal and Executive Branch generated data sets This link opens in a new window
Over 150,000 datasets in the sciences, social sciences, business, and government.
Includes data on the topics agriculture, business, climate, consumer, ecosystems, education, energy, finance, health, local government, manufacturing, ocean, public safety, and science & research.