Committee prints are mainly for use by the committee members themselves, so not many copies are made available to the public. However, the National Library of Australia has an almost complete set on microfiche from 1911 to 1969.

From the mid-1970’s committee prints became depository publications and were distributed more widely.

Library holdings and online access

Time Period

Format and links

1911 - 1969
(62nd Congress, 1st Session - 91st Congress, 1st Session)

Microform

To locate the item you need, first request the Microform Guide at MG mc 236. This will help you find the number of the microfiche, e.g. H0215. The number will be preceded by H (House), S (Senate) or J (Joint).

You can then go back to the Catalogue record, request the item at mc 236. Add the number in the Notes field.

1970 - 2010 (imperfect)

There are separate Catalogue records for each committee. See Congressional Committee Hearings for information on how to search for these.

An example record for a Congressional Print is this one for the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

1955 - to date

Online from the US Government Publishing Office - select Committee Prints from the 104th Congress (1995-96) to Present, plus select prints from prior Congresses.

BACKGROUND

Congressional committees often require background information to aid their deliberations. They also need to keep informed about developments in their areas of concern. Some committees have their own research staff; others make use of the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress. The results of these research activities are published as Committee prints.

These publications often contain valuable statistical and historical information and legislative analysis.

Some basic categories of Congressional Committee Prints are: draft reports and bills, directories, statistical materials, investigative reports, historical reports, situational studies, confidential staff reports, hearings, and legislative analyses

Not sure where to start?