Information on the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the U.S. government.
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The Three Branches
Executive Branch
Overviews
The President
White House
Executive Office of the President
The White House Office
The Cabinet
Federal Agencies and Commissions
- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
General summary of the role and responsibilities of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
- Broadcasting Board of Governors
Information about the agency responsible for all U.S. government and government sponsored, non-military, international broadcasting.
- U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
Explanation of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's mission and duties.
- U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Overview of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission's role and duties.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
General information about the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's functions and responsibilities.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Overview of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's structure and functions.
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
General information about the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's role and activities.
- U.S. Federal Communications Commission
General summary regarding the and purpose and responsibilities of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
- U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Information about the mission and operation of the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
- U.S. Federal Election Commission
Explanation of the role and activities of the U.S. Federal Election Commission.
- U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Brief overview of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency's mission and history.
- U.S. Federal Reserve System
General information regarding the U.S. Federal Reserve System, including the Board of Governors.
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission
General overview of the structure and activities of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
- U.S. National Security Agency
General introduction to the U.S. National Security Agency.
- U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Information regarding the role, activities, and operations of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
Brief summary regarding the establishment, structure, and activities of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
- U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science
Introduction to the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.
- U.S. National Endowment for the Arts
Brief overview of the mission and function of the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts.
- U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities
Information regarding the functions and resources of the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities.
- U.S. National Labor Relations Board
Information about the structure and responsibilities of the U.S. National Labor Relations Board.
- U.S. National Science Foundation
General summary of the purpose, structure, and activities of the U.S. National Science Foundation.
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
General summary of the purpose, structure, and activities of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
- Office of Government Ethics
Office of Government Ethics homepage with information about the department's functions and resources. CD version is an old site.
- U.S. Peace Corps
Overview of the mission and activities of the U.S. Peace Corps.
- U.S. President's Council on Physical Fitness
Brief overview of the U.S. President's Council on Physical Fitness.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
General summary of the role, structure, and activities of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
- U.S. Small Business Administration
Information regarding the purpose and activities of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- Smithsonian Institution
General information regarding the creation, structure, and responsibilities of the Smithsonian Institution.
- U.S. Social Security Administration
Overview of the establishment, programs, and activities of the U.S. Social Security Administration.
- U.S. Selective Service System
Brief summary of the purpose and structure of the U.S. Selective Service System.
- U.S. Agency for International Development
Information about the U.S. Agency for International Development's mission, structure, and programs.
- U.S. International Trade Commission
Brief overview regarding the establishment and functions of the U.S. International Trade Commission.
- U.S. Postal Service
General information about the mission, structure, and activities of the U.S. Postal Service.
- Voice of America
Fast facts about Voice of America.
Legislative Branch
Overviews
- About the U.S. Congress
This section provides a general overview of the U.S. Congress from its officers and committees to its special powers and rights of members.
- House Leadership
A complete list of members of the House of Representatives by state. Note that each member also has his or her own website accessible by http://www.house.gov/
Legislative Contacts
- Congressional Oversight
Provides a general overview of Congressional apportionment, explains the difference between apportionment and redistricting, and provides historical information for changes by state and region.
- The Committee System in the U.S. Congress
Discusses the committees and subcommittees of Congress and the rules, operations and duties of each.
- Congressional Apportionment
Provides a general overview of Congressional apportionment, explains the difference between apportionment and redistricting and provides historical information for changes by state and region.
- Congressional Profile
Numerical profile of the current membership and partisan affiliations of the House and Senate. Also includes links to frequently asked questions.
- The House Apportionment Formula in Theory and Practice
This report describes apportioning congressional representation to sates.
- The Legislative Branch
An introductory guide to the legislative branch, providing basic facts about the makeup and powers of congress.
- Highlights of House Ethics Rules
This section provide brief guidance on the laws and rules regulating the conduct of House members and staff.
- U.S. Senate Ethics Manual
This section is a compilation of texts and explanations of laws, rules, advisory opinions, and decisions regulating the conduct of U.S. Senate members and staff.
- Congressional Gold Medals
Describes the process for awarding Gold Medals, and includes a historical examination and chronological list of these awards.
Legislative Processes
Offices and Agencies that Support Congress
Major U.S. Legislation
Civil Rights:
Elections:
Environment:
Ethics:
Foreign Affairs:
- Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996
Text of the LIBERTAD Act.
- Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992
Text summary of the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992 (FREEDOM Support Act).
- Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (H.R. 1757)
Text of the Act.
- International Religious Freedom Act of 1998
Text of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
- United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003
Text of the Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003.
- HIV/AIDS International Programs: Appropriations
Information on funding for the international AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs.
- The Middle East Partnership Initiative: An Overview
Report that provides a general summary of the program designed to promote
political, economic, and educational development in the Middle East.
- Millenium Challenge Account
General summary of the initiative to provide assistance, through a competitive selection process, to developing nations that are pursing political and economic reforms in three areas: ruling justly, investing in people, and fostering economic freedom.
Immigration:
Internet and Communications:
National Security:
Violent Crime:
How to Find Laws - Research on U.S. Laws and Regulations:
Judicial Branch
Overviews
The Court Systems
How the Courts Work:
- The Changing Face of U.S. Courts
A discussion of the way courts have changed as court caseloads have surged, media have become increasingly present, and rapid technological advances have helped streamline the management of the courts.
- How U.S. Courts Work
A discussion regarding how the U.S. court system works in practice.
- Access to the Courts: Equal Justice for All
This journal describes the elements of the American judicial system that help ensure it is seen as fair and independent.
Types of Courts:
- Mediation and the Courts
A discussion of new methods of dealing with conflicts due to increasing litigation expenses and overcrowded court dockets.
- Understanding the Federal Courts
An introduction to the federal judicial system, its organization, and its relationship to the legislative and executive branches of the government.
The Supreme Court:
- The U.S. Supreme Court
Provides information about the Justices, creation, appellate jurisdiction, and rulemaking power of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Brief Overview of the U.S. Supreme Court
A brief overview of the U.S. Supreme Court including its rulemaking powers and jurisdiction.
- The Supreme Court of the United States: Highest Court in the Land
This journal explains how the Supreme Court functions, and illustrates how it commands the respect of Americans and plays a vital role in the constitutional system.
- Justice Breyer
Biographical information and accomplishments of Justice Stephen Breyer.
- Justice Ginsburg
Biographical information and accomplishments of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
- Justice Kennedy
Biographical information and accomplishments of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy.
- Justice Scalia
Biographical information and accomplishments of Justice Antonin Scalia.
- Justice Souter
Biographical information and accomplishments of Justice David Hackett Souter.
- Justice Stevens
Biographical information and accomplishments of Justice John Paul Stevens.
- Justice Thomas
Biographical information and accomplishments of Justice Clarence Thomas.
- Justice Roberts
Biographical information and accomplishments of Justice John Roberts.
- Justice Alito
Biographical information and accomplishments of Justice Samuel Alito.
- Court of International Trade
A brief overview of the court that deals with cases involving international trade and customs duties.
- U.S. District Courts
A brief overview of the U.S. District Court system, including a flow chart.
- Territorial Courts
An overview of courts in other territories that function as U.S. district courts.
- U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
An overview of the court that hears and decides petitions of individuals and businesses seeking relief from bankruptcy.
- U.S. Courts of Appeals
Discusses the courts that hear appeals from the district courts located within their circuit, as well as appeals from decisions of federal administrative agencies.
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Provides a brief history of this court in addition to outlining the type of cases it hears.
Administration of U.S. Courts:
Directories:
Supreme Court Decisions
- Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. 393 (1856) (USSC+)
Upholds the institution of slavery.
- Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896) (USSC+)
Outlines Jim Crow laws - Separate but equal.
- Buchanan v. Warley, 245 U.S. 60 (1917) (USSC+)
Establishes equal access to housing.
- Shelley v. Kraemer, 334 U.S. 1 (1948) (USSC+)
Ruling guarantees equal access to housing.
- Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954) (USSC+)
Outlines the necessity of equal access to education - separate but equal does not work.
- Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 349 U.S. 294 (1955) (USSC+)
Brown v. Board of Education upheld for all states.
- Heart of Atlanta Motel, Inc. v. United States, 379 U.S. 241 (1964) (USSC+)
Dictates equal access to accommodation.
- Katzenbach v. McClung, 379 U.S. 294 (1964) (USSC+)
Ruling that stated that service in a public establishment must not discriminate.
- Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, 438 U.S. 265 (1978) (USSC+)
Ruling supporting Affirmative Action in education.
- United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO-CLC v. Weber, 443 U.S. 193 (1979)
Ruling supporting Affirmative Action in hiring.
- Bob Jones University v. United States, 461 U.S. 574 (1983) (USSC+)
U.S. government support is prohibited from universities that discriminate.
- Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena, 515 U.S. 200 (1995) (USSC+)
Full text of a court decision regarding affirmative action.
- Romer v. Evans, 517 U.S. 620 (1996)
Ruling stating that gays and lesbians can not be denied full protection under the law.
- Agostini et al. v. Felton et al. (1996-1997)
A federally-funded program can give supplemental remedial education to disadvantaged children in sectarian schools.
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Washington et al. v. Glucksberg et al. (1996-1997)
A right to assisted suicide is not protected.
- Randon Bragdon, Petitioner v. Sydney Abbott et al. (1997-1998)
Reproduction does qualify as a major life activity according to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
- Department of Commerce v. United States House (1998-1999)
The use of statistical sampling to determine the population for congressional apportionment purposes was prohibited.
- Boy Scouts of America et al. v. Dale (1998-1999)
Allows a private organization to exclude whomever it wishes.
- Troxel et vir. v. Granville (1999-2000)
Limits the visitation rights of grandparents.
- United States v. Morrison et al. (1999-2000)
Examined the limits on the power of U.S. Congress to make laws under the Commerce Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution.
- State of Arizona, Complainant v. State of California et al. (2000)
The Quechan Tribe and the United States on the tribe's behalf assert claims for increased rights to water from the Colorado River.
- Good News Club et al. v. Milford Central School (2000-2001)
This case concerns the First Amendment rights of religious groups or clubs to meet in public schools, when the public school in question allowed other (non-religious) groups and clubs to meet in the school.
- New York Times Co., Inc., et al. v. Tasini et al. (2000-2001)
Leading decision on the issue of copyright and electronic publication.
- Zelman, Superintendent of Public Instruction of Ohio, et al. v. Simmons-Harris et al. (2001-2002)
Case that tested the permissibility of school vouchers in relation to schools that have a religious affiliation.
- Larry Hope, Petitioner v. Mark Pelzer et al. (2002)
The right of state prison inmates to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.
- Grutter v. Bollinger et al. (2002-2003)
Case in which the affirmative action admissions policy of the University of Michigan Law School was upheld.
- United States et al. v. American Library Association, Inc., et al. (2002-2003)
Public libraries that receive federal assistance to provide Internet access must install internet filters to block images that constitute obscenity or child pornography.
- Hamdi et al. v. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, et al. (2003-2004)
Unlawful combatants who are U.S. citizens must have the ability to challenge their detention before an impartial judge.
- Cheney, Vice President of the United States, et al. v. United States District Court for the District of Columbia et al.
Case that explored the Federal Advisory Committee Act's strict transparency requirements.
- Kelo et al. v. City of New London et al. (2004-2005)
Case involving the expropriation of private property to transfer land from one private owner to another in order to further economic development.
- Granholm, Governor of Michigan, et al. v. Heald et al. (2004-2005)
Laws that permit in-state wineries to ship wine directly to consumers, but prohibit out-of-state wineries from doing the same are unconstitutional.
- Rapanos et ux., et al. v. United States (2005-2006)
Case that challenged the Clean Water Act.
- League of United Latin American Citizens et al. v. Perry, Governor of Texas, et al. (2005-2006)
Case regarding the violation of the Voting Rights Act by the 2003 Texas redistricting.
Crime and Justice
- An Overview of the United States Sentencing Commission
A discussion of the role of the agency that develops guidelines for sentencing in federal courts, collects data about crime and sentencing, and serves as a resource on crime and sentencing policy.
- Glossary of Terms
An essay from the Issues of Democracy e-journal series on crime and justice patterns in the United States.
- Criminal Justice in the U.S.
An essay from the Issues of Democracy E-Journal on crime and justice patterns in the U.S.
- Crime Control: The Federal Response
Congressional Research Service report on crime control.
- Criminal Justice in the U.S
An essay from the Issues of Democracy e-journal on crime and justice patterns in the United States.
- The Evolution of the Death Penalty in the United States
Overview of the history of the death penalty in the United States and the legal basis for states' adoption of the penalty.
- Capital Punishment: An Overview of Federal Death Penalty Statutes
Report for Congress on the legal statutes and procedures of the death penalty in the United States.
- Drug Control: International Policy and Approaches
Congressional Research Service report on international efforts to reduce the flow of drugs to the United States.
- Pulse Check: Trends in Drug Abuse
Report on changes in the U.S. drug abuse problem.
- Stopping Use Before It Starts: Education and Community Action
Report on U.S. national priorities for drug control.
- War On Drugs: Legislation in the 108th Congress and Related Developments
Congressional Research Service report on legislation used by the U.S. to combat drug use.
- Gun Legislation in the 109th Congress
Congressional Research Service report on U.S. gun control legislation.
- Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide
U.S. Department of the Treasury publication providing information on all of the federal laws and regulations governing the manufacture, importation and distribution of firearms.
- Strategic Approaches to Reducing Firearms Violence: Final Report on the Indianapolis Violence Reduction Partnership
U.S. Department of Justice report on strategic approaches to reducing firearms violence.
- Crime in the United States
A compilation of volume and rate of crime offenses for the nation, the states, and individual agencies. This report also includes arrest, clearance, and law enforcement employee data. - SV 214
- Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics
Compiled from more than 100 sources, this Sourcebook is presented in six sections (system characteristics, public opinion, offenses known, arrests, judicial processing, and corrections), containing almost 700 tables.
- Weapon Use and Violent Crime
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Discusses the nature and prevalence of violent crime by armed offenders, and the consequences to the victims, age 12 or older.
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