Learning Commons | Cardinal Cushing Library

SOC1111 - Introduction to Social Work - Krull: Home

• How Laws Are Made and How to Research Them (USA.gov)

• Act - "A measure passed by one or both Chambers. Usually refers to a measure passed by both Chambers in identical format and signed into law by the president or passed over a veto." (U.S. Senate Glossary Terms).
• Bill - "Bills are prefixed with H.R. when introduced in the House and S. when introduced in the Senate, and they are followed by a number based on the order in which they are introduced. The vast majority of legislative proposals are in the form of bills. Bills deal with domestic and foreign issues and programs, and they also appropriate money to various government agencies and programs.

  Public bills pertain to matters that affect the general public or classes of citizens, while private bills affect just certain individuals and organizations.

  A private bill provides benefits to specified individuals (including corporate bodies). Individuals sometimes request relief through private legislation when administrative or legal remedies are exhausted. Many private bills deal with immigration–granting citizenship or permanent residency. Private bills may also be introduced for individuals who have claims against the government, veterans' benefits claims, claims for military decorations, or taxation problems. The title of a private bill usually begins with the phrase, "For the relief of. . . ." if a private bill is passed in identical form by both houses of Congress and is signed by the president, it becomes a private law.

  When bills are passed in identical form by both Chambers of Congress and signed by the president (or repassed by Congress over a presidential veto), they become laws." (U.S. Senate)

• Resolution – "Legislation introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, but unlike bills they may be limited in effect to the Congress or one of its chambers. The three types of resolutions are joint resolutions, simple resolutions and concurrent resolutions" (Library of Congress)
  
  
  • Joint Resolution - "Legislation considered to have the same effect as a bill. Unlike simple and concurrent resolutions, a joint resolution requires the approval of the President. Also, a joint resolution may be used to propose amendments to the Constitution. A joint resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H.J. Res.” followed by a number and joint resolutions introduced in the Senate as “S.J. Res.” followed by a number. For example: S.J. Res. 2" (Library of Congress)
     
  • Simple Resolution – "Legislation that relates to the operations of a single chamber or expresses the collective opinion of that chamber on public policy issues. A simple resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H. Res.” followed by a number and simple resolutions introduced in the Senate as “S. Res.” followed by a number. For Example: H. Res. 10" (Library of Congress)
     
  • Concurrent Resolution – "Legislation that relates to the operations of Congress, including both chambers, or express the collective opinion of both chambers on public policy issues. A concurrent resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H. Con. Res.” followed by a number and concurrent resolutions introduced in the Senate as “S. Con. Res.” followed by a number. For example: H. Con. Res. 64" (Library of Congress)
    
    

• Private Law – "A private bill passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate in identical form that has been enacted into law. Private laws only affect a private individual or individuals. A Private law is designated by the abbreviation “Pvt. L.” followed by the Congress number (e.g. 104), and the number of the law. For example: Pvt. L. 104-1" (Library of Congress)

  Public Law – "A bill or joint resolution passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate in identical form that has been enacted into law. Public laws affect the entire nation. A Public law is designated by the abbreviation 'Pub. L.' followed by the Congress number (e.g. 108), and the number of the law. For example: Pub. L. 108-211 (Library of Congress)

• Statutes - "Also known as acts, are laws passed by a legislature.  Federal statutes are laws enacted by Congress with (and in some circumstances without) the approval of the President" (Library of Congress).
   
• Statutes at Large - "A publication of the laws and concurrent resolutions enacted during each Congress, arranged in chronological order. Also includes presidential proclamations"  (U.S. Senate Glossary Terms).
   
• United States Code - "A compilation of most public laws currently in force, organized by subject matter. When a law has been amended by another law, the U.S. Code reflects this change. The U.S. Code collates the original law with subsequent amendments, and it deletes language that has later been repealed or superseded" (U.S. Senate: The United States Code).

Background Information on the Topics

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Government Documents/Law Review Articles

Newspapers

Federal Resources

State-Specific Resources