Congress

State, tribal and local governments and private for-profit or non-profit organizations enter into verbal or written agreements to provide emergency assistance to each other in the event of...

There are 435 representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Here's how to find yours.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been the subject of nearly 200 pieces of legislation regulating consumer products affecting public health and safety in America.

The Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act was introduced to the House of Representatives by Patrick Kennedy (D-RI1) on March 17, 2005. Unfortunately, the proposed legislation, along...

The purpose of the proposed Pet Safety & Protection Act of 2009 is to amend the Animal Welfare Act to ensure that all dogs and cats used for research purposes are obtained legally.

Tips on how to know what bills and legislation is currently being considered in Congress. Many Americans are affected by legislation every year, and never knew what was even being considered. Stay...

The Criminal Justice Tax Relief Act of 2008 was also referred to as the Federal Prison Work Incentive Act and the Federal Release Revision Act, both of 2008

As part of his New Deal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) into law on June 25, 1938. It became officially effective on Oct. 24 of the same year.

Identity theft has become so widespread that members of Congress have filed legislation addressing cyber-crimes related to once unheard-of jargon such as "spyware" and "keyloggers." In the...

Members of Congress pay Social Security payroll taxes along with the vast majority of American workers. Most federal lawmakers also participate in one of two federal retirement plans with the tab...

In the early 1960s, smaller banks throughout the United States were struggling to compete with the growing practices of larger banks. In response, Congress enacted the Bank Service Corporation Act...

America's current economic crisis has been blamed on many different things, including, but not limited to, poor consumer awareness, deficient housing lending practices and, of course, credit...

The Extension of the Voting Rights Act--officially known as The Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006--was signed into...

Writing to your congressperson can help you solve your problems or make your opinions known on a wide variety of issues. Work with your congressperson to help let them know how you feel. A well...

Today, it is more important than ever to get involved with our government and to gain knowledge of how our own personal leaders are voting on Bills that affect each one of us who live in the...

Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) chips are available as U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, implantable devices for hands-free identification of such individuals as children,...

The Securities Act of 1933 and The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are also known as the Stocks & Bonds Acts. As a result of the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that...

America has been subject to taxation from its control by the British government in early colonial times and continues its battle with nationwide tax and financial issues in modern times. The...

Want to write your congressman an e-mail but can't find the address? How annoying! Their e-mail addresses aren't even listed! This how to will help you get your message to your congressman. ...

Rush Limbaugh might be the most beloved and hated figure in the nation today. The conservative talk show host has an army of listeners maybe up to 20 million, he also has an army of enemies. One...

During the summer, a Renaissance Fair may come into your area. If that is an era in history that intrigues you, it might be fun to go dressed up. If you'd like to go as a warrior, you'll need a...

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is an income supplement program of the federal government designed to help aged and disabled people, who have little or no income. It is funded by general tax...

As the president's main advisers, the Cabinet plays a pivotal role in the United States government. While part of the executive branch, Cabinet members must be approved by the U.S. Senate.

The people who wrote the US Constitution were concerned about one branch of the government gaining enough power to govern with absolute authority. Thus, the Constitution was written with...

The U.S. system of food and drug regulation is one of the most comprehensive consumer protections in the world. Starting in the early twentieth century as a reaction to the horrendous conditions...

Birthright citizenship means any person born in the United States and subject to the country's jurisdiction is a citizen. It falls under the 14th Amendment, which was passed in 1868. Before this...

In 1997, the Children's Health Insurance Program (formerly the State Children's Health Insurance Program) was created to provide health insurance for uninsured children and low-income pregnant...

The United States government consists of three branches: the Executive branch, which includes the Presidency; the Legislative branch, or Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives...

The Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA for short, establishes the national minimum wage, the lowest amount of money an employer may legally pay an employee or the lowest wage at which a worker can...

The Atlantic Conference & Charter, 1941, says the U.S. became involved in Southeast Asian politics because of the Atlantic Charter, which was ratified by the U. S. and Britain in 1941. Its...

Hydrogen has many applications as a fuel source. It is the most abundant element in the universe, and it has several advantages over other more commonly used fuel sources. Hydrogen is colorless,...

John McCain won election to the U.S. Senate in 1986, succeeding Barry Goldwater, who had served five terms. McCain's path to the Senate was unconventional. The son and grandson of Navy admirals,...

The Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA) was created to promote and preserve the educational, commercial and informational potential of the Internet. The law prohibits federal, state and local...

The American Constitution has set in place a system of checks and balances to maintain order within the three branches of government. Even within each branch, there are certain checks that can be...

The GI Bill for Life was an attempt to amend the Montgomery GI Bill for Life, which provides money for higher education to active and reserve U.S. military personnel once they leave the service....

With some 47 million people living without health insurance in the United States, few argue against the idea of affordable coverage for everyone. But after that there’s little agreement....

You can testify in front of Congress on all types of community and business subjects that Congress is making a decision on. If you would like to bring your cause to the attention of Congress you...

The U.S. Constitution incorporates a series of checks and balances, and passing a federal tax law follows a prescribed procedure. All revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives,...

Requirements for Medicaid eligibility change with each administration. In 2006, eligibility requirements were tightened considerably in response to the Deficit Reduction Act. Undocumented aliens,...

Barrack Obama is the President of the United States, but what he can do is largely decided by the 100 Senators (2 per state) elected to represent your state. This guide will, if effective remind...

A Congressman in the House of Representatives or a Senator in the Senate introduces a proposed bill during a morning session. The bill is assigned a number, designating the chamber of origin - HR...

A petition is a formal written document presented to a government official by a citizen or group of citizens. It is way of empowering a person or a group of people to obtain something they deem...

The first step in the legislative process is the introduction of the bill. Any member of Congress can introduce a bill, and they become known as the primary sponsor. An unlimited number of members...

The basic requirements for being a representative in the U.S. Congress are outlined in the Constitution, Article I, Section 2. There are age, residency and citizenship requirements that limit the...

The Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Relief Act of 2007 is a law that amended the United States Tax Code to deal with financial problems caused by the increased foreclosure rates and rapidly declining...

The United States Navy developed along with the nation it served, transforming from a rag-tag force fighting desperately against the much larger British Royal Navy to the premier naval power in...

Congress considers hundreds of bills during every session. Before each proposed bill becomes a law, it must survive many steps. Every successful bill has sponsors and co-sponsors to support it...

Americans elect their members of Congress in order to represent their views. One way to have your views heard are through writing a letter to your elected officials. Here are some tips to make...

Many former U. S. Senators donate their research documents to document repositories in their state. These documents include memos, reports, correspondence, appointment logs, calendars, databases,...

U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy died August 25, 2009. Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy will lie in repose at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Thursday and Friday followed by a...