Guide to Federal Records

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)

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46.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

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
RECORD TYPES RECORD LOCATIONS QUANTITIES
Textual Records National Archives Building 22,688 cu. ft.
Maps and Charts College Park 1,305 items
Motion Pictures College Park 4 reels
Video Recordings College Park 5,200 items
Sound Recordings College Park 471 items
Machine-Readable College Park 12 data sets
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.

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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).

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Agriculture1 ft.1825-8319th-47th
On Agriculture and Forestry258 ft.1883-197648th-94th
On Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry240 ft.1977-8895th-100th
On Forest Reservations and the Protection of Game1 ft.1896-192154th-66th
Subcommittee (Agriculture and Forestry)VolumeDatesCongresses
To Investigate the Use of Farm Crops4 ft.194378th
To Investigate the Rural Electrification Administration7 ft.194378th
To Investigate Food Production, Distribution, and Consumption7 ft.194378th
To Investigate the Utilization of Farm Crops13 ft.194981st
To Investigate the Importation of Feed Wheat4 ft.1953-5783d-85th
To Investigate Grain Storage and Other Activities of the Department of Agriculture3 ft.1959-6086th
On Watershed Projects1 ft.1961-6287th

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Appropriations242 ft.1867-198840th-100th
SubcommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Inquiry In Re Transfer of Employees25 ft.194277th
On Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies27 ft.1977-8895th-100th
On Commerce, Justice, and State77 ft.1977-8895th-100th
On Foreign Operations22 ft.1977-8895th-100th
On Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies10 ft.1973-8893d-100th
On Intelligence Operations2 ft.1973-7493d
On Interior13 ft.1977-8895th-100th
On Labor-Health and Human Service-Education7 ft.1979-8096th
On Legislative Branch11 ft.1959-8886th-100th
On Transportation and Related Agencies12 ft.1979-8896th-100th
On Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government14 ft.1981-8897th-100th

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.

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Military Affairs125 ft.1816-194614th-79th
On the Militia3 in.1816-5714th-35th
On Naval Affairs54 ft.1816-194614th-79th
On Coast Defenses5 in.1885-191149th-62d
On Armed Services899 ft.1947-8880th-100th
Subcommittee (Military Affairs)VolumeDatesCongresses
Investigating the Disposal of Surplus Property6 ft.1945-4679th
Subcommittee (Armed Services)VolumeDatesCongresses
Investigation of the Malmedy Massacre5 ft.194981st
Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee3 ft.1950-5581st-84th
On National Stockpile and Naval Petroleum29 ft.1962-6387th-88th

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.

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Banking and Currency496 ft.1913-7063d-91st
On Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs330 ft.1970-8891st-100th
Subcommittee (Banking and Currency)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Housing (and Urban Affairs)46 ft.1957-6885th-90th
On Small Business 6 ft.1949-6881st-90th
On Financial Institutions12 ft.1963-6888th-90th
To Investigate Operations of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) and Its Subsidiaries6 ft.1947-4880th
To Investigate the Export-Import Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)9 ft.1953-5483d
To Investigate Coffee Prices3 ft.195483d
To Investigate the Federal Housing Administration53 ft.195483d
Subcommittee (Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Consumer Affairs3 ft.1976-7794th
On International Finance1 ft.1983-8498th

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.

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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).

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Claims70 ft.1816-194614th-79th
On Private Land Claims15 ft.1826-190719th-67th
On Revolutionary Claims8 ft.1832-9722d-55th

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Commerce and Manufactures2 ft.1816-2514th-19th
On Commerce84 ft.1825-194619th-79th
On Manufacturers9 ft.1829-192819th-70th
On The Pacific Railroad1 ft.1864-7138th-42d
On Railroads1 ft.1873-191143d-66th
On Transportation Routes to the Seaboard1 in.1879-9346th-53d
On Mississippi River and Its Tributaries3 in.1879-9746th-64th
On Pacific Railroad3 in.1889-9751st-55th
On Interoceanic Canals2 ft.1899-194555th-79th
On Fisheries1 ft.1884-191848th-65th
On Standards, Weights, and Measures3 in.1911-2161st-66th
On Interstate Commerce67 ft.1889-194650th-79th
On Interstate and Foreign Commerce and On Commerce851 ft.1947-6880th-90th
On Commerce and On Commerce, Science and Transportation733 ft.1969-8891st-100th
On Aeronautical and Space Sciences169 ft.1958-7685th-94th
Subcommittee (Commerce, 1825-1946)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Crime and Criminal Practice6 in.1933-3473d
On the Department of Commerce and Merchant Marine6 in.1935-3674th
Subcommittee (Interstate Commerce)VolumeDatesCongresses
To Investigate Interstate Railroads560 ft.1935-4274th-77th
Subcommittee (Interstate and Foreign Commerce/Commerce/Commerce, Science, and Transportation)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Aviation94 ft.1949-8681st-99th
On Communications129 ft.1949-8681st-99th
On the Consumer87 ft.1966-8689th-99th
On Merchant Marine and Maritime Matters10 ft.1949-5481st-83d
On Merchant Marine Training and Education8 in.1955-5684th
On Merchant Marine and Fisheries65 ft.1957-8684th-99th
On Domestic Land and Water Transportation5 ft.1949-5281st-82d
On Surface Transportation109 ft.1955-8684th-99th
On Oil and Coal Shortages2 ft.1947-4880th
On Trade Policy8 ft.1948-4980th-81st
On Freight Absorption and Pricing7 in.1949-5281st-82d
On Export Controls and Policies4 ft.1950-5181st-82d
On New England Transportation6 in.1951-5282d
Investigating Waterfront Racketeering and Port Security8 ft.1953-5483d
To Study the Maritime Subsidy Program3 ft.1953-5483d
On Automobile Marketing Practices32 ft.1956-5884th-85th
On Military Air Transportation Service and Military Sea Transportation Service1 ft.1957-5885th
On the Textile Industry2 ft.1958-6485th-88th
To Study Foreign Commerce5 ft.1959-6186th-87th
On Freedom of Communications3 ft.1959-6286th-87th
To Study the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence3 ft.1963-6488th
On Business, Trade, and Tourism3 ft.1981-8697th-99th
On the Environment3 ft.1969-7291st-92d
On Foreign Commerce and Tourism9 ft.1975-7893d-95th
  1985-8699th
On Investigations3 ft.1971-7292d
On National Oceans Policy2 ft.1981-8297th
On Oceanography1 ft.1969-7191st
On Oceans and Atmospheres3 ft.1973-7493d
On Science, Technology, and Space33 ft.1957-8685th-99th

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.

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On the District of Columbia505 ft.1816-197214th-92d
SubcommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On the Investigation of Wiretapping4 ft.1950-5181st-82d
On the Investigation of Crime in the District of Columbia17 ft.1951-5282d
To Investigate Public Transportation in the District of Columbia28 ft.1953-5483d

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Finance*832 ft.1816-198814th-100th
On Pensions61 ft.1817-194714th-79th
Subcommittee (Finance)VolumeDatesCongresses
To Investigate the Social Security Program8 ft.1947-4880th
On Health3 ft.1977-8495th-98th
On Trade24 ft.1976-8696th-99th

* 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.

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Foreign Relations789 ft.1789-198814th-100th
SubcommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On the Investigation of Loyalty of State Department Employees5 ft.195081st
On U.S. Foreign Aid to Free Europe1 ft.195181st
On Overseas Information Programs4 ft.1952-5382d-83d
On Disarmament16 ft.1956-6284th-87th
To Investigate Activities of Nondiplomatic Representatives of Foreign Principals in the United States27 ft.1960-6286th-87th
On American Republics5 in.1967-6890th
On Surveillance1 ft.1973-7493d
On Multinational Corporations35 ft.1973-7693d-94th
On Foreign Assistance 27 ft.1973-8093d-96th
On Foreign Economic Policy/International Economic Policy18 ft.1973-7893d-95th

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Retrenchment1 ft.1842-5427th-33d
On Investigation and Retrenchment2 ft.1871-7342d
On Organization, Conduct, and Expenditure in Executive Departments2 in.1900-156th
On Expenditures in Executive Departments22 ft.1947-5280th-82d
On Government Operations95 ft.1952-7682d-94th
On Governmental Affairs*186 ft.1977-8895th-100th
Subcommittee (Expenditures in Executive Departments)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Investigations12 ft.1947-5280th-82d
To Investigate Surplus Property13 ft.1947-4880th
Subcommittee (Government Operations/Governmental Affairs)VolumeDatesCongresses
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations1,087 ft.1948-8280th-97th
On Reorganization and International Organizations52 ft.1958-6485th-88th
On Intergovernmental Relations19 ft.1963-6888th-90th
On Foreign Aid Expenditures2 ft.1965-6889th-90th
On Governmental Efficiency and the District of Columbia55 ft.1975-8694th-99th
On Federal Spending Practices and Open Government36 ft.1973-8093d-96th
On Energy, Nuclear Proliferation, and Government Processes33 ft.1959-8686th-99th
On Intergovernmental Relations*37 ft.1959-7886th-95th
On the Post Office and Civil Service1 ft.1979-8496th-98th

* 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.

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Public Lands57 ft. 1816-194614th-79th
On the Geological Survey1 in.1905-959th-60th
On Indian Affairs96 ft.1820-194616th-79th
On Indian Depredations8 in.1893-190552d-59th
On Territories7 ft.1844-192028th-66th
On Pacific Islands and Puerto Rico4 ft.1899-192056th-66th
On the Philippines2 ft.1899-192056th-66th
On Territories and Insular Affairs18 ft.1923-4668th-79th
On Mines and Mining2 ft.1866-194639th-79th
On Irrigation and Reclamation of Arid Lands4 ft.1894-194653d-79th
On Conservation of Natural Resources2 in.1909-1361st-62d
On Interior and Insular Affairs446 ft.1947-7680th-94th
On Energy and Natural Resources392 ft.1977-8895th-100th
Subcommittee (Indian Affairs)VolumeDatesCongresses
Indian Affairs Investigating Subcommittee59 ft.1928-5370th-83d
Subcommittee (Interior and Insular Affairs/Energy and Natural Resources)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Indian Affairs6 in.1948-4980th-81st
To Investigate the Explosion at Centralia Coal Mine #52 ft.194780th
On Minerals, Materials, and Fuel Economics3 ft.1953-5483d
On Energy Research and Development4 ft.1977-8695th-99th
On Recreation and Renewable Resources8 ft.1977-8695th-99th
On Parks1 ft.1977-8695th-99th
On Public Lands20 ft.1977-8695th-99th

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Judiciary1,239 ft.1816-198814th-100th
On Revision of the Laws3 in.1869-190540th-58th
On Patents26 ft.1837-194625th-79th
On Immigration36 ft.1890-194651st-79th
SubcommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Immigration and Naturalization74 ft.1947-8880th-100th
On Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights34 ft.1955-7684th-94th
Senate Internal Security Subcommittee547 ft.1951-7782d-95th
On Trading with the Enemy Act6 ft.1952-6682d-89th
On the Emigration of Refugees and Escapees7 ft.1953-6083d-86th
On Juvenile Delinquency341 ft.1953-8883d-100th
On Antitrust and Monopoly750 ft.1951-8882d-100th
On Constitutional Rights59 ft.1959-7686th-94th
On Improvement of the Federal Criminal Code19 ft.1955-5884th-85th
On Administrative Practice and Procedure39 ft.1963-8088th-96th
On Criminal Laws and Procedures60 ft.1966-8889th-100th
On Citizens and Shareholders Rights and Remedies3 ft.1977-7895th
On the Constitution93 ft.1969-8891st-100th
On the Courts36 ft.1969-8891st-100th
To Investigate Activities of Individuals Representing Interests of Foreign Governments (Billy Carter-Libya Investigation)30 ft.1969-8891st-100th
On National Penitentiaries4 ft.1971-7892d-95th
On Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks54 ft.1969-8891st-100th
On Regulatory Reform1 ft.1981-8297th
On Security and Terrorism26 ft.1969-8891st-100th
On Separation of Powers48 ft.1959-7886th-95th

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Education and Labor*48 ft.1870-194641st-79th
On Epidemic Diseases7 in.1878-9245th-52d
On Public Health and National Quarantine7 in.1896-192154th-66th
To Establish a University of the United States3 in.1895-190253d-57th
On Labor and Public Welfare and On Labor and Human Resources358 ft.1947-8880th-100th
Subcommittee (Education and Labor)VolumeDatesCongresses
Investigating Violations of Free Speech and Labor57 ft.1936-4174th-76th
On Wartime Health and Education25 ft.1943-4678th-79th
Subcommittee (Labor and Public Welfare)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Welfare and Pension Funds85 ft.1954-5683d-84th
On Education14 ft.1961-6487th-88th
On Employment, Manpower, and Poverty24 ft.1965-6889th-90th
On Health35 ft.1961-6687th-89th
On Migratory Labor50 ft.1959-6886th-90th
On Veterans Affairs22 ft.1957-6885th-90th
Subcommittee (Labor and Human Resources)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Aging11 ft.1983-8698th-99th
On Children, Family, Drugs, and Alcoholism3 ft.1983-8698th-99th
On Children and Youth7 ft.1971-7692d-94th
On Child and Human Development4 ft.1977-8095th-96th
On Employment, Poverty, and Migratory Labor4 ft.1977-7895th
On Family and Human Services3 ft.1981-8697th-99th
On the Handicapped11 ft.1971-8092d-96th
On Health and Scientific Resources6 ft.1979-8296th-97th
On Labor5 ft.1981-8697th-99th

* 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).

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Post Office and Post Roads77 ft.1816-194614th-79th
On Civil Service and Retrenchment4 ft.1874-191643d-64th
On Civil Service5 ft.1921-4667th-79th
On the Census and Its Predecessor7 in.1879-190845th-60th
On Post Office and Civil Service202 ft.1947-7680th-94th
Subcommittee (Post Office and Civil Service)VolumeDatesCongresses
Investigating Postmaster Appointments6 ft.1947-4880th
On Federal Manpower Policies6 ft.1951-5382d-83d
Investigating Postal Operations4 ft.1953-5483d
On the Government Employees Security Program10 ft.1955-5684th
On the Administration of the Civil Service System and Postal Service2 ft.1955-5784th-85th

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Roads and Canals4 ft.1820-5716th-37th
On Public Buildings and Grounds15 ft.1838-194625th-79th
On Public Works and On Environment and Public Works348 ft.1947-8880th-100th
Subcommittee (Public Works)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Air and Water Pollution10 in.196589th
On Roads3 ft.1967-7090th-91st
Subcommittee (Environment and Public Works)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Environmental Pollution61 ft.1977-8695th-99th
On Nuclear Regulation14 ft.1977-8695th-99th
On Water Resources10 ft.1977-8695th-99th

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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:

CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Enrolled Bills13 ft.1789-19411st-77th
To Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate1 ft.1817-194614th-79th
On Printing25 ft.1842-194627th-79th
On the Library9 ft.1849-194630th-79th
On Privileges and Elections52 ft.1871-194642d-79th
On Rules3 ft.1885-194648th-79th
On Rules and Administration278 ft.1947-8880th-100th
On Impeachment of Judge Harry E. Claiborne*7 ft.198699th
Subcommittee (Rules and Administration)VolumeDatesCongresses
On Privileges and Elections141 ft.1947-6880th-90th
On Amendments to Senate Rule XXII (Cloture Rule)2 ft.1957-5885th
On Financial and Business Activities of Senate Employees and Former Senate Employees19 ft.1963-6688th-89th

* 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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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:

Select or Special CommitteeVolumeDatesCongresses
On Investigation of the United States Veterans' Bureau17 ft.1923-2467th-68th
To Investigate Air Mail and Ocean Mail Contracts72 ft.1933-3572d-74th
Investigating the Munitions Industry160 ft.1934-3673d-74th
To Investigate the Administration of the Virgin Islands8 ft.193574th
To Investigate Production, Transportation, and Marketing of Wool10 ft.1935-3874th-75th
To Investigate Lobbying Activities120 ft.1935-4074th-76th
To Investigate Unemployment and Relief6 in.193775th
To Investigate Conditions in the American Merchant Marine7 ft.1938-4275th-77th
To Investigate Administration and Operation of Civil Service Laws and Classification Act of 192310 ft.1938-4575th-79th
To Investigate the National Defense Program*775 ft.1941-4877th-80th
To Investigate Gasoline and Fuel Oil Shortages18 ft.1941-4477th-78th
Investigating Petroleum Resources20 ft.194479th
On Reconstruction of Senate Roof and Skylights and Remodeling of Senate Chamber3 in.1945-4879th-80th
On Atomic Energy15 ft.1945-4679th
To Investigate Campaign Expenditures (various committees)93 ft.1924-4668th-79th
Investigation of Bureau of Internal Revenue4 in.192468th
On Post Office Leases1 in.1930-3171st
To Study Reorganization of Courts2 in.193775th
On Taxation of Governmental Securities and Salaries2 in.193875th
On Small Business215 ft.195081st
To Investigate Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce90 ft.1950-5181st-82d
On Investigation of Cover on Mail of Senators1 in.195483d
For Contribution Investigation2 ft.195684th
To Investigate Political Activities, Lobbying, and Campaign Contributions18 ft.1956-5784th-85th
To Study Foreign Aid Program3 ft.1956-5784th-85th
On Improper Activities in Labor-Management Field488 ft.1957-6085th-86th
On National Water Resources12 ft.1959-6086th
On Standards and Conduct17 ft.1964-7688th-94th
On Aging18 ft.1969-8891st-100th
On Ethics52 ft.1969-8891st-100th
On Indian Affairs47 ft.1969-8891st-100th
On Presidential Campaign Activities*435 ft.1973-7493d
To Study Law Enforcement Activities of the Department of Justice42 ft.1969-8891st-100th
On Nutrition and Human Needs10 ft.1967-8890th-100th
Senate Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe11 ft.1986-8799th-100th
On Standards and Conduct32 ft.1969-8891st-100th
To Study Senate Committee System3 ft.1975-7694th
  1983-8498th
To Study Government Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities (Church Committee)**105 ft.1958-7694th
On the Operation of the Senate14 ft.1975-7794th-95th
On National Emergencies and Delegated Emergency Powers23 ft.1969-8891st-100th
On Secret Military Assistance to Iran and the Nicaraguan Opposition*125 ft.1987100th

* 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.

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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).

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46.24 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)

SEE UNDER 46.16.

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46.25 VIDEO RECORDINGS (GENERAL)
1986-90
4,960 items

Television coverage of floor proceedings, 1986-90.

SEE UNDER 46.22.2.

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46.26 SOUND RECORDINGS (GENERAL)
1975-76
65 items

Meetings, seminars, and interviews, Commission on the Operation of the Senate, 1975-76.

SEE UNDER 46.11 and 46.22.2.

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46.27 MACHINE-READABLE RECORDS (GENERAL)

SEE UNDER 46.13, 46.19, and 46.22.2.


Bibliographic note: Web version based on Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States. Compiled by Robert B. Matchette et al. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995.
3 volumes, 2428 pages.

Ordering information

This Web version is updated from time to time to include records processed since 1995.


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