Discusses recent budget actions including the release of the adminstration’s FY2014 budget and the passage of budget resolutions by the House and Senate.  Also discusses spending and revenue trends and the unsustainability of those trends. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the various types of punishment that may be imposed, the grounds, precedents, and consequences by the House.   From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses discussion drafts, policy papers, and legislation introduced in Congress to create a simpler and fairer tax system.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Examines broad distinctions among the 170 private laws enacted during this time period, including subject matter, sponsorship, method of consideration, amendment, and reconciling of differences between House and Senate versions.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Third annual report on how the federal government could achieve greater efficiency of operation.  Identifies 31 new areas for attention where costs could be reduced or revenues enhanced.  From the Government Accountability Office

Discusses the Recess Appointments Clause of the Constitution, the way in which it has been used by presidents, the recent court decision undermining presidential authority, and the increased Congressional power over appointments if the Supreme Court upholds the Appeals Court decision.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Covers when and in what order amendments can be offered, types and numbers of amendments,  germaneness of amendments, and procedures for withdrawal of amendments. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes two changes to Senate rules, one involving standing orders, the other standing rules, which affect the process for considering nominations and legislation especially with regard to filibusters and cloture.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

This report identifies the various forms that Congressional “sense of” resolutions may take and the procedures governing such actions.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes four broad eras in the evolution of the Appropriations Committees of the House and  Senate and the structure of the subcommittees.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

New website from a private source that provides text of regulations and proposed regulations and tracks comments received by individual and organization submitters.  From the Sunlight Foundation

Explains the process for filling positions by presidential appointment, and provides a tally of total nominations during the 111^th Congress, the number confirmed, and the number returned to the president by Congress.  Also provides figures on the average time from nomination to confirmation.

From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Quadrennial compilation, issued following a presidential election, which lists over 7,000 civil service leadership and support positions appointed by the president.  Includes position location, title, pay, and tenure/expiration of the appointment.  From the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Annual compendium of information on Virginia state government including executive departments, independent agencies, the legislative and judicial branches, and the organization of state government.  From the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth

Reports on the frequency with which agencies publish final rules without prior notification to the public as proposed rules, which exceptions agencies used to do this, and whether they solicited public reaction to rules when they failed to issue proposed rules.  Fnds that agencies did not publish notice of proposed rule- making for about 35% of major rules, those with annual economic impact of $100 million or more. From the Government Accountability Office

Reports on all programs and activities funded for the current fiscal year for which authorizations of appropriations have expired or will expire during the year.  From the Congressional Budget Office

This report provides data on elections of each Speaker in each Congress since 1913.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides an overview of key international trade and finance policy issues such as China, trade agreements and negotiations, reorganization of trade-related agencies, export controls and promotion, international property rights and more.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides a brief history of the Senate cloture rule, explains its main features and the arguments of supporters and opponents of these features, and outlines a range of proposals that would changes its operation and reduce the opportunities for the filibuster.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the procedures by which nominations are referred to senate committees for consideration.  Also provides lists of positions that require Senate consent and committees which handle various nominees.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the proposal by President Obama for reorganizing and consolidating commerce and trade functions, the history of presidential reorganization authority and how the balance of power has shifted from the President to Congress, and current options for reviving presidential reorganization authority.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the complex process by which a federal budget is annually assembled and the primary roles of two laws: The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes in the steps in the process of the selection of a president, following the election.  Also describes precedents set by Congress in certifying the electoral vote and in responding to challenges about the validity of votes cast by electors in states.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses House and Senate rules and guidelines, laws, and regulations affecting congressional casework for constituents.   Also provides sample outlines and document templates for managing casework.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes the process, requirements, qualifications, and forms used for nominations to the various service academies.   From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reviews the rules of the Senate which make filibusters and other obstructive tactics possible, how cloture can be used to choke off filibusters, and how the threat of filibusters can lead to compromises and other effects, both desirable and undesirable. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

One of a series of informative reports on the federal budget process aimed at new legislators but useful for all students.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the relationship between the annual budget resolution and the restraint imposed by the debt limit.  Also discusses how the House and Senate may adjust the debt limit and the current debt limit that was set by the Budget Control Act of 2011.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

One of a series of informative reports on the federal budget process aimed at new legislators but useful for all students.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

One of a series of informative reports on the federal budget process aimed at new legislators but useful for all students.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists