Records of the United States Senate
(Record Group 46)
1789-1990
23,058 cu. ft.
Table of Contents
- 46.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
- 46.2 GENERAL RECORDS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE 1789-1988 6,812 lin. ft.
- 46.3 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY 1825-1988 535 lin. ft.
- 46.4 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 1867-1988 460 lin. ft.
- 46.5 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO DEFENSE 1816-1988 1,117 lin. ft.
- 46.6 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO BANKING AND CURRENCY 1913-88 977 lin. ft.
- 46.7 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET 1973-88 71 lin. ft. and 127 rolls of microfilm
- 46.8 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO CLAIMS 1816-1946 93 lin. ft.
- 46.9 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO COMMERCE 1816-1988 2,490 lin. ft.
- 46.10 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 1816-72 554 lin. ft.
- 46.11 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND RELATED COMMITTEES 1816-1988 928 lin. ft.
- 46.12 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS 1789-1988 914 lin. ft.
- 46.13 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND RELATED COMMITTEES 1842-1988 1,617 lin. ft.
- 46.14 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS 1816-1988 939 lin. ft.
- 46.15 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY AND RELATED COMMITTEES 1816-1988 3,600 lin. ft.
- 46.16 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE AND RELATED COMMITTEES 1870-1988 774 lin. ft.
- 46.17 RECORDS OF THE POST OFFICE AND CIVIL SERVICE AND PREDECESSOR COMMITTEES 1816-1976 317 lin. ft.
- 46.18 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS AND ITS PREDECESSORS 1820-1988 366 lin. ft.
- 46.19 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION AND ITS PREDECESSORS 1789-1988 543 lin. ft.
- 46.20 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS 1969-88 269 lin. ft.
- 46.21 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS 1971-82 55 lin. ft. and 11 rolls of microfilm
- 46.22 RECORDS OF SELECT AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES 1789-1988 3,107 lin. ft.
- 46.22.1 Records of select committees, 1789-1921 (1st-66th Congresses)
- 46.22.2 Records of select committees, 1923-88 (67th-100th Congresses)
- 46.23 CARTOGRAPHIC RECORDS (GENERAL) 1790-1958 1,305 items
- 46.24 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)
- 46.25 VIDEO RECORDINGS (GENERAL) 1986-90 4,960 items
- 46.26 SOUND RECORDINGS (GENERAL) 1975-76 65 items
- 46.27 MACHINE-READABLE RECORDS (GENERAL)
Established: By Article I, Section 1, of the Constitution, approved September 17, 1787. First met, March 4, 1789. Functions: Exercises federal legislative authority jointly with the United States House of Representatives. Tries impeachments. Approves or disapproves Presidential appointments. Provides advice and consent in negotiations of treaties.
Finding Aids: Guide to the Records of the United States Senate at the National Archives, 1789-1999: On-Line Edition. Robert W. Coren, Mary Rephlo, David Kepley, and Charles South, comps., Guide to the Records of the United States Senate at the National Archives, 1789-1989: Bicentennial Edition (1989). Harold E. Hufford and Watson G. Caudill, comps., Preliminary Inventory of the Records of the United States Senate, PI 23 (1950); supplement in National Archives microfiche edition of preliminary inventories. Charles E. South and James C. Brown, comps., Hearings in the Records of the U.S. Senate and Joint Committees of Congress, SL 72 (1972).
Security-Classified Records: This record group may include material that is security-classified.
Specific Restrictions: As specified by Senate Resolution 474 (Congressional Record, 96th Cong., 2d sess., 1980, 126, pt. 23:31188), records under the jurisdiction of the Senate (a) prohibited from disclosure by executive order or statute are unavailable for public use in accordance with the applicable executive order or statute; (b) the disclosure of which, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Senate, would not be in the public interest are unavailable for public inspection; (c) relating to the investigation of individuals and containing personal data, personnel records, and records of executive nominations, and not previously made public, are unavailable for public inspection for 50 years after creation; and (d) not otherwise previously made public are unavailable for public inspection for 20 years after creation, except that any committee may, by action of the full committee, prescribe a different time when any of its records under (c) and (d) may be made available for public use.
Related Records:
- Record copies of publications of the various committees of the United States Senate in RG 287, Publications of the U.S. Government.
- Records of Joint Committees of Congress, RG 128.
- Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, RG 233.
- Textual, photographic, and cartographic materials concerning the U.S. Capitol building, grounds, and related buildings, are in the custody of the Architect of the Capitol. Approximately 30,000 photographs relating to the Senate are in the custody of the Senate Historical Office.
RECORDS
Note: Dates cited below are those of the records. Congresses reflect approximate corresponding Congressional sessions. Records of other subcommittees and investigations may be interfiled with the records of the full committees.
46.2 GENERAL RECORDS OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE
1789-1988
6,812 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Journals of legislative proceedings and minute books, 1789-1988. Bills and resolutions, 1789-1988. Presidential messages, 1789-1875. Manuscripts and typescripts of Senate documents, 1875-1988. Committee reports, 1847-1988. Records relating to private bills, 1887-1901. Records accompanying bills and resolutions ("Legislative Case Files"), 1901-46 (1,048 ft.). Petitions and memorials, 1815-1966. Original electoral votes and certificates of ascertainment, 1789-1969. Credentials of individual senators, 1789-1988. Records of the Secretary of the Senate, including campaign spending reports, 1912-46; roll call tally sheets, 1947-88; and lobbying reports, 1949-88. Records relating to executive proceedings, including nomination messages and related papers, 1789-1988; records relating to treaties, 1789-1988; and records concerning impeachments, 1797-1987. Legislative bulletins, reports, voting records, and other records of the Democratic Policy Committee, 1977-88.
Microfilm Publications: M200, M1251-M1261.
Finding Aids: George P. Perros, James C. Brown, and Jacqueline A. Wood, comps., Papers of the United States Senate relating to Presidential Nominations, 1789-1901, SL 20 (1964).
46.3 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
1825-1988
535 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Correspondence, reports, hearings, transcripts, petitions and memorials, resolutions, minutes, dockets, legislative and investigative case files, nomination files, Presidential messages and communications, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
46.4 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
1867-1988
460 lin. ft.
History: Established March 6, 1867. Appropriations bills referred to select committees, 1789-1817 (1st-14th Congresses); and to Senate Finance Committee, 1817-67 (15th-39th Congresses; SEE 46.11).
Textual Records: Committee papers, petitions, memorials, resolutions, legislative case files ("Accompanying Papers"), Presidential messages and communications, subject files, and other records of the committee and its subcommittees as follows:
Finding Aids: Theodore J. Cassady and Harold E. Hufford, comps., Preliminary Inventory of the Senate Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Inquiry In Re Transfer of Employees, PI 12 (1942).
Subject Access Terms: American Relief Administration; Emergency Relief Appropriation Acts.
46.5 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO DEFENSE
1816-1988
1,117 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Correspondence, reports, hearings, transcripts, claims, petitions and memorials, resolutions, minutes, dockets, legislative and investigative case files, nomination files, and Presidential messages and communications, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
Finding Aids: George P. Perros and Toussaint L. Prince, comps., Records of Certain Committees of the Senate Investigating the Disposal of Surplus Property, 1945-48, PI 59 (1953).
Subject Access Terms: Civil defense; National Guard; National Stockpile, Subcommittee on (Armed Services); Real Estate and Military Construction, Subcommittee on (Armed Services); universal military training; U.S. Exploring Expedition; war crimes.
46.6 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO BANKING AND CURRENCY
1913-88
977 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, petitions, memorials, minutes, correspondence, investigators' reports, legislative case files ("Accompanying Papers"), bills and resolutions, transcripts of public hearings and executive sessions, Presidential messages and communications, nomination files, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
Finding Aids: Albert U. Blair and John W. Porter, comps., Records of the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce, Subcommittee to Investigate Interstate Railroads, 1935-43, PI 75 (1954).
Subject Access Terms: Export controls; Federal Farm Loan Bank; Federal Reserve System; Pecora (Ferdinand) Committee; Securities and Exchange Commission; stock exchange.
46.7 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET
1973-88
71 lin. ft. and 127 rolls of microfilm
Textual Records: Legislative files, subject files, and other records, 1974-88. Records of Democratic Counsel Rick Brandon, 93d-99th Congresses, 1973-86 (including 127 rolls of microfilm).
46.8 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO CLAIMS
1816-1946
93 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Reports, correspondence, legislative case files, petitions and memorials, private claim bills, and other records of the following committees:
46.9 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO COMMERCE
1816-1988
2,490 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Correspondence, reports, hearings, transcripts, petitions and memorials, resolutions, minutes, dockets, legislative and investigative case files, nomination files, Presidential messages and communications, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
Finding Aids: Albert U. Blair and John W. Porter, comps., Records of the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce, Subcommittee to Investigate Interstate Railroads, 1935-43, PI 75 (1954).
Subject Access Terms: Alaska, fisheries in; Fairness Doctrine; lighthouses; S.S. Mohawk; S.S. Morro Castle; shipwrecks; television, regulation of; U.S. Life Saving Service.
46.10 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
1816-72
554 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, legislative dockets, hearing transcripts, correspondence, and other records of the committee and its subcommittees as follows:
46.11 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND RELATED COMMITTEES
1816-1988
928 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, correspondence, bills and resolutions, case files, Presidential messages and communications, nomination files, transcripts of hearings, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
* SEE ALSO nontextual descriptions.
Sound Recordings (13 items): Executive sessions of the Finance Committee, 96th-97th Congresses, 1979-82. SEE ALSO 46.26.
Subject Access Terms: Finance and a Uniform National Currency, Select Committee on; GI Bill of Rights.
46.12 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
1789-1988
914 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Treaty files; committee papers and minutes; reports; petitions, memorials, and resolutions; claims; legislative case files; Presidential messages and communications; transcripts of executive sessions and of hearings; administrative and financial records; nomination case files; staff files; and other records of the committee and its subcommittees as follows:
46.13 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND
RELATED COMMITTEES
1842-1988
1,617 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, Presidential messages and communications, hearings, investigative and legislative case files, staff memorandums, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
* SEE ALSO nontextual descriptions.
Machine-Readable Records (2 data sets): Legislative and oversight files of the Majority Office of the Governmental Affairs Committee, and of its Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations, 1986, with supporting documentation. SEE ALSO 46.27.
Subject Access Terms: "Army-McCarthy" hearings; communists, investigations of; labor racketeering; McCarthy, Joseph R.; McClellan, John L.; organized crime; War Assets Administration.
46.14 RECORDS OF COMMITTEES RELATING TO INTERIOR AND INSULAR
AFFAIRS
1816-1988
939 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, legislative dockets, treaty files, minutes, investigative and legislative case files, transcripts of hearings, nomination files, correspondence, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
46.15 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY AND RELATED
COMMITTEES
1816-1988
3,600 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, minutes, legislative and executive dockets, Presidential messages and communications, legislative and investigative case files, correspondence, staff records, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
46.16 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE AND
RELATED COMMITTEES
1870-1988
774 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, correspondence, investigation files, Presidential messages and communications, transcripts of hearings, staff files, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
* SEE ALSO nontextual descriptions.
Motion Pictures (4 reels): Newsreel footage acquired by the Education and Labor Committee of labor unrest at the San Francisco, CA, docks, 1936; the Chicago, IL, plant of the Republic Steel Company, 1937; and the cannery strike in Stockton, CA, 1938.
Finding Aids: George P. Perros, comp., Preliminary Inventory of the Records of the Senate Committee on Education and Labor: Subcommittee on Wartime Health and Education, 1943-46, PI 42 (1952).
46.17 RECORDS OF THE POST OFFICE AND CIVIL SERVICE AND
PREDECESSOR COMMITTEES
1816-1976
317 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, legislative and executive dockets, legislative case files, Presidential messages and communications, nomination files, correspondence, staff papers, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
46.18 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
AND ITS PREDECESSORS
1820-1988
366 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, legislative dockets and case files, Presidential messages and communications, nomination files, correspondence, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
46.19 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION AND
ITS PREDECESSORS
1789-1988
543 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, minutes, dockets, correspondence, legislative case files, transcripts of hearings and executive sessions, investigation files, and other records of the following committees and subcommittees:
* SEE ALSO nontextual descriptions.
Machine-Readable Records (8 data sets): Text files of executive (closed sessions) of the Impeachment Trial Committee (impeachment trial of Judge Harry E. Claiborne), 1986, with supporting documentation. SEE ALSO 46.27.
46.20 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
1969-88
269 lin. ft.
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, correspondence, legislative case files, transcripts of hearings and executive sessions, investigative files, and other records, 1969-88.
46.21 RECORDS OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
1971-82
55 lin. ft. and 11 rolls of microfilm
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, correspondence, legislative files, subject files, transcripts of hearings, nomination files, and other records, 1971-82. Microfilm copy of general correspondence, 97th Congress, 1981-82 (11 rolls).
46.22 RECORDS OF SELECT AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
1789-1988
3,107 lin. ft.
History: During the early Congresses, select committees, each established to perform a specific function and expiring upon completion of that task, performed the majority of the committee work for the Senate. In the modern Senate, standing committees account for most committee activity. They are appointed to investigate and report on specific issues.
46.22.1 Records of select committees, 1789-1921 (1st-66th
Congresses)
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, correspondence, legislative case files, transcripts of hearings and executive sessions, investigative files, and other records of select committees on various subjects, 1789-1921.
Microfilm Publication: M1196.
Subject Access Terms: Epidemic diseases; Harpers Ferry, VA, invasion of; Indian depredations; women's suffrage.
46.22.2 Records of select committees, 1923-88 (67th-100th
Congresses)
Textual Records: Committee papers, reports, petitions, memorials, bills and resolutions, correspondence, legislative case files, transcripts of hearings and executive sessions, investigative files, and other records of the following select committees:
* SEE ALSO nontextual descriptions. ** Portions relating to President Kennedy's assassination are administered by the National Archives as part of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection.
Video Recordings (240 items): Hearings of the Select Committee on Secret Military Assistance to Iran and the Nicaraguan Opposition, 1986-87. SEE ALSO 46.25.
Sound Recordings (393 items): Hearings before the Special Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program, February 11, 1946 (5 items). Recordings made or acquired by the Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, 1972-74 (388 items). SEE ALSO 46.26.
Machine-Readable Records (2 data sets): Records of the Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, consisting of Master Data Base of abstracts for each item of evidence or session of testimony and Master Data Base with Public Information, 1973-74, with supporting documentation. SEE ALSO 46.27.
Finding Aids: Watson G. Caudill, Toussaint L. Prince, and Albert U. Blair, comps., Records of the Special Committee of the Senate to Investigate Air-Mail and Ocean-Mail Contracts, 1933-35, PI 63 (1953). Lester W. Smith, comp., "Preliminary Checklist of the Records of the Special Committee Investigating the Munitions Industry, United States Senate, 1934-36," PC 23 (1945). Harold E. Hufford, comp., assisted by Toussaint L. Prince, Records of the Special Committee of the Senate to Investigate the National Defense Program, 1941-48, PI 48 (1952). George P. Perros, comp., Records of the Special Committee of the Senate to Investigate Petroleum Resources, 1944-46, PI 61 (1953). George P. Perros, comp., Records of the Special Committee of the Senate on Atomic Energy, 1945-46, PI 62 (1953).
Subject Access Terms: ABSCAM Investigation; Truman Committee; Watergate Committee.
46.23 CARTOGRAPHIC RECORDS (GENERAL)
1790-1958
1,305 items
Manuscript maps prepared by Executive branch agencies and forwarded to the Senate, 1807-1907 (278 items). Maps published as exhibits to Senate executive documents, showing land surveys, explorations, military operations, boundaries, and Indian land cessions, 1790-1958 (777 items). Internal improvement maps, showing canals, railroads, national roads, and harbors in the eastern United States, 1826-35 (244 items). Committee maps, 1791- 1866 (6 items).
46.24 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)
SEE UNDER 46.16.
46.25 VIDEO RECORDINGS (GENERAL)
1986-90
4,960 items
Television coverage of floor proceedings, 1986-90.
SEE UNDER 46.22.2.
46.26 SOUND RECORDINGS (GENERAL)
1975-76
65 items
Meetings, seminars, and interviews, Commission on the Operation of the Senate, 1975-76.