Lemme ask you something

September 14, 2011 6:50 AM

I am interested in finding some information about the path a few bills took through congress. The only catch is that I'm looking for info from almost thirty years ago. Where can I find this information?

I am looking for bills about computer crime (read: hacking) that were introduced to congress between 1983 and the passage of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in 1986. Sites like Govtrack only go back as far as the early 90's, and in fact there's a huge digital hole in information about bill's passed in the 80's. I figure I'm going to have to go to a library for this one.

I live in New York City, which definitely helps. It will make finding this information a lot easier. Is there some kind of pre-govtrack govtrack? A lexis-nexis database that can give me the answers I need? Some way I can look at all the legislation introduced before congress during a congressional session by date?

Thanks for your help.

posted by to sir with millipedes to Law & Government (4 answers total)

Best answer: THOMAS has more-or-less complete bill information going back to the 93d Congress, i.e. 1973.
posted by valkyryn at 6:55 AM on September 14, 2011

Best answer: "I figure I'm going to have to go to a library for this one." do it! A Gov. Docs. librarian would love to attack this question... http://www.nypl.org/node/115671 (THOMAS is good, but really, ask a Government Documents Librarian)
posted by Blake at 7:03 AM on September 14, 2011 [1 favorite]

Start with the Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. Most big libraries should have it, but you could call the reference desk and check. And I'd guess that any reference librarian would be thrilled to help you.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 7:04 AM on September 14, 2011

Best answer: What you need is a way to search legislation by subject term. THOMAS won't have the full-text of legislation from as far back as you want, but there is still a lot of information to be found there. For the text, you'll need to go to a Federal Depository Library. If you need help using THOMAS, I suggest you use the contact form. I hear the guy who answers that email box is really, really good (and darned handsome).
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:12 AM on September 14, 2011 [2 favorites]