General Government Databases
Most general government document databases are portals providing different collections of official government publications, as well as other materials produced by government branches, departments, and agencies.
Overview
Government documents or “gov docs,” are official publications produced by government bodies at the local, state, national, or international levels. Many university libraries provide access to subscription-based government databases for students, faculty, and (sometimes) alumni. Some subscription databases may also be available through public libraries. Increasingly, governments and international organizations are prioritizing making government documents open access and freely available.
Free Government Databases
U.S. government information databases are free to the public because they are funded by taxpayers and are intended to serve as public resources.
Congress.gov
Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. It provides access to many legislative materials, including bills, resolutions, committee reports, and legislative activities from the United States Congress. Users can search for specific legislation, track the progress of bills, access congressional calendars, find information about members of Congress, and explore the legislative process. The Library of Congress maintains Congress.gov.
GovInfo.gov
GovInfo, a service of the United States Government Publishing Office (GPO), provides free public access to official publications from all three branches of the U.S. Federal Government including congressional bills, hearings, reports, and other documents. It serves as a digital repository for information produced by the federal government.
ProQuest Congressional