Ask a Librarian: Law Library of Congress

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=Edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Latest Answers" href="https://ask.loc.gov/rss.php?m=new&gid=6188" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="screen" href="https://netdna.bootstrapcdn.com/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="screen" href="https://static-assets-us.libanswers.com/css2.75.1/dist/LibAnswers_public.min.css" /> <title> Ask a Librarian: Law Library of Congress - Ask a Librarian </title> <style> .s-la-color-header { background-image: none; background-color: #ffffff; } </style> <script src="https://static-assets-us.libanswers.com/js2.75.1/dist/jquery.min.js"></script> <script src="https://static-assets-us.libanswers.com/js2.75.1/dist/LibAnswers_public.min.js"></script> <script> var springSpace = springSpace || {}; springSpace.la = springSpace.la || {}; springSpace.la.Page = { iid: 2246, group_id: 6188, faq_id: 0, qlog_id: 0, auth_id: 0 }; </script> <link rel="shortcut icon" href='https://www.loc.gov/favicon.ico' /> <link rel="icon" sizes="192x192" href="https://www.loc.gov/touch-icon-192x192.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="180x180" href="https://www.loc.gov/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="152x152" href="https://www.loc.gov/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="120x120" href="https://www.loc.gov/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://www.loc.gov/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#ffffff" /> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://www.loc.gov/ms-icon-144x144.png" /> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans:400,700|Roboto+Slab:400,700" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.loc.gov/libguide/css/askloc.css" rel="stylesheet" /> <style> /* add styles here */ /* hide keyword & areas facets on search page (https://ask.loc.gov/search/) 11/21/2023 */ .s-la-page-single #s-srch-facet-0-keywords.s-srch-facet, .s-la-page-single #s-srch-facet-0-g.s-srch-facet { display: none; } </style> <script src="https://www.loc.gov/static/js/lib/iframeResizer.js"></script> <script> $( document ).ready(function() { // iframeresizer $('iframe').iFrameResize({log:true}); // add role attributes to the right side column $('.s-la-page-home #s-la-page-column-2, .s-la-page-faq #s-la-page-column-2').attr('role', 'complementary'); // widget button setTimeout(function() { $('.tab-pane-content .s-la-widget .btn-default').removeClass('btn-default').addClass('btn-primary'); }, 300); // remove non-breaking space from faq links list $(".s-la-faq-links .s-la-alink").html(function (i, html) { return html.replace(/聽/g, ''); }); // move search results out of navbar $(".search .s-la-content-search").prependTo(".search #s-la-page-title-bar"); $(".search .s-la-content-search form").removeClass("navbar-form navbar-left"); // deep link tabs var url = window.location.href; if (url.indexOf("#") > 0){ var activeTab = url.substring(url.indexOf("#") + 1); $('.nav[role="tablist"] a[href="#'+activeTab+'"]').tab('show'); } $('a[role="tab"]').on("click", function() { var newUrl; const hash = $(this).attr("href"); newUrl = url.split("#")[0] + hash; history.replaceState(null, null, newUrl); }); }); </script><style> #s-la-page-title-bar { display: none; } </style> </head> <body id="s-la-page-38476" class="s-la-page-public s-la-page-home"> <a id="s-la-public-skiplink" class="alert-info" href="#s-la-page-maincontent">Skip to Main Content</a>  <div class="loc-header-wrapper"> <div class="container"> <header class="loc-header row"> <div class="logo-container col-xs-12"> <a href="https://www.loc.gov/" class="logo-loc"> <span>Library of Congress</span> <img src="https://cdn.loc.gov/libguide/images/logo-loc-padded.svg" alt="" /> </a> <a href="/" class="logo-ask-librarian"> <span>Ask a Librarian</span> <img src="https://cdn.loc.gov/libguide/images/logo-ask-librarian.svg" alt="" /> </a> </div> </header> </div> </div>  <div class="container"> <div id="s-la-bc" class="row" role="navigation"> <div class="col-md-12"> <ol class="breadcrumb s-la-color-bars s-la-color-bars-border"> <li> <a href="https://www.loc.gov/">Library of Congress</a> </li> <li class=""> <a href="/">Ask a Librarian</a> </li> <li class="active"> Law </li> </ol> </div> </div> <div id="s-la-public-header" class="s-la-header row clearfix"> <div class="col-md-12"> <noscript> <div id="s-la-noscript" class="alert alert-warning"> <strong>Warning:</strong> Your browser has javascript disabled. Without javascript some functions will not work, including question submission via the form. </div> </noscript> <div class="s-la-public-header-text s-la-public-home"> <h1 class="s-la-public-header-title"> Ask a Librarian: Law Library of Congress </h1> <div class="s-la-public-header-description"> Questions submitted here are answered by reference librarians at the Law Library of Congress. We aim to provide a response within 5 business days. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="s-la-page-title-bar" role="navigation"> <div class="navbar navbar-default s-la-color-bars s-la-color-bars-border"> <div class="navbar-header"> <button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#s-la-browsebar-collapse" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="fa fa-bars"></span><span class="sr-only">Toggle menu visibility</span> </button><p class="navbar-text">90 Answers</p></div> <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="s-la-browsebar-collapse"> <div id="s-la-content-search-67888" class="s-la-content-search"> <form method="get" class="navbar-form navbar-left" role="search" name="s-la-searchform" id="s-la-searchform-67888" action="/law/search/" aria-labelledby="s-la-content-search-query-67888"> <input type="hidden" name="t" value="0" /> <div class="form-group"> <label for="s-la-content-search-query-67888" class="s-la-searchform-label sr-only control-label">Ask Another Question</label> <div class="col-xs-9"> <input type="text" id="s-la-content-search-query-67888" class="s-la-content-search-query form-control" name="q" placeholder="Type your question" value="" autocomplete="off" /> </div> <div class="col-xs-3 s-la-searchform-buttoncol"> <button type="submit" class="btn btn-default s-la-searchform-button"> Search </button> </div> </div> </form> <script>$(function() { searchform_67888 = springSpace.la.initFaqSearchForm({ contentId: 67888, iid: 2246, apiDomain: 'ask.loc.gov', groupId: [6188], limit: 10 }); });</script> </div> <ul class="nav navbar-nav s-la-navbrowse"> <li> <p class="navbar-text">Browse:</p> </li> <li> <a class="" href="/law/search/">All</a> </li> <li class="dropdown" id="s-la-browse-groups"> <a id="s-la-browse-group-drop" data-toggle="dropdown" data-target="#s-la-browse-groups" class="dropdown-toggle" href="#">Groups <b class="caret"></b></a> <ul class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu-right" role="menu" aria-labelledby="s-la-browse-group-drop" aria-hidden="true"> <li><a href="/loan-reserves-accounts/" role="menuitem">Access Services</a></li> <li><a href="/africa-middle-east/" role="menuitem">Africa, Middle East</a></li> <li><a href="/american-folklife/" role="menuitem">American Folklife</a></li> <li><a href="/asia/" role="menuitem">Asia</a></li> <li><a href="/business/" role="menuitem">Business</a></li> <li><a href="/crowd/" role="menuitem">By The People</a></li> <li><a href="/caribbean-iberia-latin-america/" role="menuitem">Caribbean, Iberia, Latin America</a></li> <li><a href="/special-search/" role="menuitem">Collections Management Division</a></li> <li><a href="/congressdotgov/" role="menuitem">Congress.gov</a></li> <li><a href="/europe/" role="menuitem">Europe</a></li> <li><a href="/film-tv-video/" role="menuitem">Film, TV, Video</a></li> <li><a href="/genealogy-local-history/" role="menuitem">Genealogy, Local History</a></li> <li><a href="/" role="menuitem">General Reference</a></li> <li><a href="/history-humanities-social-sciences/" role="menuitem">History, Humanities, Social Sciences</a></li> <li><a href="/law/" role="menuitem">Law</a></li> <li><a href="/manuscripts/" role="menuitem">Manuscripts</a></li> <li><a href="/map-geography/" role="menuitem">Maps, Geography</a></li> <li><a href="/national-library-service/" role="menuitem">National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled</a></li> <li><a href="/newspapers-periodicals/" role="menuitem">Newspapers, Periodicals, Comic Books</a></li> <li><a href="/performing-arts/" role="menuitem">Performing Arts</a></li> <li><a href="/poetry-literature/" role="menuitem">Poetry, Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/preservation/" role="menuitem">Preservation</a></li> <li><a href="/prints-photographs/" role="menuitem">Prints and Photographs</a></li> <li><a href="/rare-books-special-collections/" role="menuitem">Rare Books, Special Collections</a></li> <li><a href="/recorded-sound/" role="menuitem">Recorded Sound, Audio</a></li> <li><a href="/science/" role="menuitem">Science, Technical Reports</a></li> <li><a href="/teacher-resources/" role="menuitem">Teacher Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/veterans-history/" role="menuitem">Veterans History</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="s-la-page-title-bar-topics" class="dropdown"> <a data-toggle="dropdown" class="dropdown-toggle" href="#">Topics <b class="caret"></b></a> <ul class="dropdown-menu dropdown-scroll dropdown-menu-right" role="menu" aria-hidden="true"> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=About%20the%20Law%20Library&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">15</span><span class="topic_item">About the Law Library</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=Beginner%27s%20Guides&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">28</span><span class="topic_item">Beginner's Guides</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=Federal%20Legislative%20History&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">8</span><span class="topic_item">Federal Legislative History</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=Law%20Library%20Collections&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">17</span><span class="topic_item">Law Library Collections</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=Law%20Library%20Reading%20Room&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">16</span><span class="topic_item">Law Library Reading Room</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=Law%20Library%20Research%20Guides&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">37</span><span class="topic_item">Law Library Research Guides</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=Law%20Library%20Webinars&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">3</span><span class="topic_item">Law Library Webinars</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=Law%20of%20the%20Electoral%20College&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">5</span><span class="topic_item">Law of the Electoral College</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=Legal%20Research&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">56</span><span class="topic_item">Legal Research</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=Legal%20Research%20Videos&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">5</span><span class="topic_item">Legal Research Videos</span></a> </li> <li> <a href="/law/search/?t=0&g=6188&topics=Legislative%20Process&adv=1" role="menuitem"><span class="badge">8</span><span class="topic_item">Legislative Process</span></a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div id="s-la-page-maincontent" role="main"> <div class="s-la-row row"> <div id="s-la-page-column-0" class="s-la-column-top col-md-12"> </div> </div> <div class="s-la-row row"> <div id="s-la-page-column-1" class="s-la-page-column col-md-8"> <div id="s-la-box-86000-container" class="s-la-box-container s-la-color-bars-border s-la-box-borderless s-la-box-type-2 s-la-box-position-1"> <div id="s-la-box-86000" class="s-la-box s-la-box-html"> <div class="s-la-box-title s-la-color-bars s-la-color-bars-border"> <h2> </h2> </div> <div id="" class="s-la-box-content clearfix" > <ul class="nav nav-tabs" role="tablist"> <li class="active"> <a data-toggle="tab" href="#s-la-box-86000-container-tab0" role="tab" aria-controls="s-la-box-86000-container-tab0" aria-selected="true">Ask a Specialist</a> </li> <li class=""> <a data-toggle="tab" href="#s-la-box-86000-container-tab1" role="tab" aria-controls="s-la-box-86000-container-tab1" aria-selected="false">Browse Frequently Asked Questions</a> </li> </ul> <div class="tab-content"> <div id="s-la-box-86000-container-tab0" class="tab-pane active" role="tabpanel" aria-hidden="false"> <div class="tab-pane-content"> <div id="s-la-content-form-85098" class="s-la-content-form s-la-content"> <div id="s-la-askform-85098" class="s-la-askform s-la-askform-qu-4508"> <form name="s-la-askform-form_85098" id="s-la-askform-form_85098" class="" method="POST" enctype="multipart/form-data" aria-label="Form to ask a question" novalidate> <input type="hidden" name="instid" value="2246"> <input type="hidden" name="quid" value="4508"> <input type="hidden" name="qlog" value="0"> <input type="hidden" name="source" value="1"> <input type="hidden" name="alt_auth_id" value="0" /> <input type="hidden" name="ua" value=1 /> <fieldset id="s-la-askform-section-7162" class=""> <legend>Your Contact Information</legend> <div class="form-group pname_wrap "> <label for="pname_85098" class="control-label "> Name<span class="reqnote"> *</span> </label> <input class="form-control" type="text" id="pname_85098" name="pname" value="" maxlength="100" autocomplete="name" required /> </div> <div class="form-group pemail_wrap"> <label for="pemail_85098" class="control-label "> Email<span class="reqnote"> *</span> </label> <input class="form-control" type="email" id="pemail_85098" name="pemail" value="" maxlength="100" autocomplete="email" required /> </div> <div class="form-group confem_wrap"> <div class="checkbox"> <label for="confem_85098"> <input type="checkbox" name="confem" id="confem_85098" value="1" /> Receive an email confirmation of your submission. </label> </div> </div> </fieldset> <fieldset id="s-la-askform-section-7163" class=""> <legend>Your Question</legend> <p>Please state your question clearly. Provide as much detail as possible, including a description of the resources you have already consulted.</p> <p>Keep in mind that we are librarians, not attorneys. We provide general legal and legislative research assistance to help you develop your own research strategy. We cannot provide legal advice, interpret laws, or undertake any activity that might be considered unauthorized practice of law.</p> <div class="form-group pdetails_wrap "> <label for="pdetails_85098" class="control-label "> Question <span class="reqnote">*</span><span class="reqnote"> *</span> </label> <textarea class="form-control" id="pdetails_85098" name="pdetails" required ></textarea> </div> </fieldset> <fieldset id="s-la-askform-section-7164" class=""> <legend>Tell Us More About You</legend> <p>This helps us determine what additional resources, collections, and/or services you might have available to you locally.聽</p> <div class="form-group val4_wrap "> <label for="val4_85098" class="control-label "> ZIP / Postal Code<span class="reqnote"> *</span> </label> <input class="form-control" type="text" id="val4_85098" name="val4" value="" maxlength="500" autocomplete="" required /> </div> <div class="form-group val1_wrap "> <label for="val1_85098" class="control-label "> Reason for Research? </label> <select class="form-control" name="val1" id="val1_85098" > <option value="">Select One</option> <option value="1">Academic Research - K-12</option> <option value="2">Academic Research - Undergraduate Student</option> <option value="3">Academic Research - Masters/PhD</option> <option value="4">Academic Research - Law Student</option> <option value="5">Faculty, Teacher, Educator</option> <option value="6">Exhibition, Curatorial Work</option> <option value="7">Genealogy</option> <option value="8">Publication, Media Project</option> <option value="9">Work Assignment</option> <option value="10">General Interest, Other</option> </select> </div> </fieldset> <div id="s-la-askform-reqnote_85098" class="s-la-askform-reqnote"> Fields marked with <span class="reqnote"> *</span> are required. </div> <div class="formlibcpt hidden"> </div> <div id="s-la-askform-buttons" class="form-group "> <button id="s-la-askform-submit-85098" class="btn btn-primary s-la-askform-button" type="submit" > Ask Your Question </button> </div> </form> </div> <script> var askform_85098_config = { form_action: "https:\/\/ask.loc.gov\/form\/4508\/ticket", content_id: 85098, queue_id: 4508, errormsg: {"emailaddress":"Invalid email address.","emailnotmatch":"The email addresses don't match. Please try again.","reqfields":"Please answer all required questions.","general":"Error: Please try again."}, translations: {"max_file_size":"Maximum file size"}, libauth_enabled: false, libauth_authed: true, autoReplySettings: {"type":0,"start":null,"end":null,"offhours":null,"captchaAlwaysOn":false,"libauth_enabled":false}, rules: [] }; var askform_85098 = new springSpace.la.askform(askform_85098_config); </script> </div> </div> </div> <div id="s-la-box-86000-container-tab1" class="tab-pane " role="tabpanel" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="tab-pane-content"> <div id="s-la-content-search-85100" class="s-la-content-search s-la-content"> <form method="get" name="s-la-searchform" id="s-la-searchform-85100" action="/law/search/" role="search" aria-labelledby="s-la-content-search-query-85100"> <input type="hidden" name="t" value="0" /> <input type="hidden" name="g[]" value="6188" /> <label for="s-la-content-search-query-85100" class="s-la-searchform-label sr-only control-label">Search</label> <div class="input-group"> <input type="text" id="s-la-content-search-query-85100" class="s-la-content-search-query form-control" name="q" placeholder="What are you looking for..." value="" autocomplete="off"/> <span class="input-group-btn"> <button class="btn btn-primary s-la-searchform-button" type="submit">Browse FAQs</button> </span> </div> </form> <script>$(function() { searchform_85100 = springSpace.la.initFaqSearchForm({ contentId: 85100, iid: 2246, apiDomain: 'ask.loc.gov', groupId: [6188], limit: 10 }); });</script> </div> <div id="s-la-content-faqlist-85101" class="s-la-content-faqlist s-la-content clearfix"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li class="s-la-faq-listing"> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-q"> <a href="https://ask.loc.gov/law/faq/331301" data-faqid="331301">What is the law on disputing presidential election results?</a> </div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-details"></div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-meta"> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-updated"><span class="metalabel">Last Updated:</span> <span class="metavalue">Mar 12, 2025</span> <span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-topics"><span class="metalabel">Topics:</span> <ul class="list-inline metavalue" aria-label="Topics:"><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Law%20of%20the%20Electoral%20College">Law of the Electoral College</a></span></li></ul><span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-views"><span class="metalabel">Views:</span> <span class="metavalue">16299</span></span> </div> </li> <li class="s-la-faq-listing"> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-q"> <a href="https://ask.loc.gov/law/faq/331405" data-faqid="331405">I'm looking for information on U.S. Supreme Court nominees. Where do I start?</a> </div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-details"></div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-meta"> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-updated"><span class="metalabel">Last Updated:</span> <span class="metavalue">Mar 12, 2025</span> <span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-topics"><span class="metalabel">Topics:</span> <ul class="list-inline metavalue" aria-label="Topics:"><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Law%20Library%20Research%20Guides">Law Library Research Guides</a></span></li><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Legal%20Research">Legal Research</a></span></li></ul><span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-views"><span class="metalabel">Views:</span> <span class="metavalue">45</span></span> </div> </li> <li class="s-la-faq-listing"> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-q"> <a href="https://ask.loc.gov/law/faq/331676" data-faqid="331676">What is the process for counting the Electoral College votes in Congress?</a> </div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-details"></div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-meta"> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-updated"><span class="metalabel">Last Updated:</span> <span class="metavalue">Mar 12, 2025</span> <span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-topics"><span class="metalabel">Topics:</span> <ul class="list-inline metavalue" aria-label="Topics:"><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Law%20of%20the%20Electoral%20College">Law of the Electoral College</a></span></li></ul><span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-views"><span class="metalabel">Views:</span> <span class="metavalue">8834</span></span> </div> </li> <li class="s-la-faq-listing"> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-q"> <a href="https://ask.loc.gov/law/faq/335347" data-faqid="335347">How do I find out which members of Congress inserted different sections into a bill?</a> </div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-details"></div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-meta"> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-updated"><span class="metalabel">Last Updated:</span> <span class="metavalue">Mar 12, 2025</span> <span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-topics"><span class="metalabel">Topics:</span> <ul class="list-inline metavalue" aria-label="Topics:"><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Federal%20Legislative%20History">Federal Legislative History</a></span></li><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Legal%20Research">Legal Research</a></span></li><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Legislative%20Process">Legislative Process</a></span></li></ul><span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-views"><span class="metalabel">Views:</span> <span class="metavalue">420</span></span> </div> </li> <li class="s-la-faq-listing"> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-q"> <a href="https://ask.loc.gov/law/faq/362282" data-faqid="362282">What is the procedure for appointing a U.S. Supreme Court Justice?</a> </div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-details"></div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-meta"> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-updated"><span class="metalabel">Last Updated:</span> <span class="metavalue">Mar 12, 2025</span> <span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-topics"><span class="metalabel">Topics:</span> <ul class="list-inline metavalue" aria-label="Topics:"><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Legal%20Research">Legal Research</a></span></li></ul><span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-views"><span class="metalabel">Views:</span> <span class="metavalue">2125</span></span> </div> </li> <li class="s-la-faq-listing"> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-q"> <a href="https://ask.loc.gov/law/faq/418797" data-faqid="418797">What are recess appointments?</a> </div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-details"></div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-meta"> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-updated"><span class="metalabel">Last Updated:</span> <span class="metavalue">Mar 12, 2025</span> <span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-topics"><span class="metalabel">Topics:</span> <ul class="list-inline metavalue" aria-label="Topics:"><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Legislative%20Process">Legislative Process</a></span></li></ul><span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-views"><span class="metalabel">Views:</span> <span class="metavalue">3293</span></span> </div> </li> <li class="s-la-faq-listing"> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-q"> <a href="https://ask.loc.gov/law/faq/334496" data-faqid="334496">What happens to a bill that has not become law at the end of a Congress?</a> </div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-details"></div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-meta"> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-updated"><span class="metalabel">Last Updated:</span> <span class="metavalue">Jan 23, 2025</span> <span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-topics"><span class="metalabel">Topics:</span> <ul class="list-inline metavalue" aria-label="Topics:"><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Legal%20Research">Legal Research</a></span></li><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Legislative%20Process">Legislative Process</a></span></li></ul><span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-views"><span class="metalabel">Views:</span> <span class="metavalue">23943</span></span> </div> </li> <li class="s-la-faq-listing"> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-q"> <a href="https://ask.loc.gov/law/faq/400965" data-faqid="400965">How do I request materials to use in the Law Library of Congress reading room?</a> </div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-details"></div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-meta"> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-updated"><span class="metalabel">Last Updated:</span> <span class="metavalue">Dec 11, 2024</span> <span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-topics"><span class="metalabel">Topics:</span> <ul class="list-inline metavalue" aria-label="Topics:"><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=About%20the%20Law%20Library">About the Law Library</a></span></li><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Law%20Library%20Collections">Law Library Collections</a></span></li><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Law%20Library%20Reading%20Room">Law Library Reading Room</a></span></li><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Legal%20Research%20Videos">Legal Research Videos</a></span></li></ul><span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-views"><span class="metalabel">Views:</span> <span class="metavalue">432</span></span> </div> </li> <li class="s-la-faq-listing"> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-q"> <a href="https://ask.loc.gov/law/faq/331082" data-faqid="331082">What is the law on faithless electors?</a> </div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-details"></div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-meta"> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-updated"><span class="metalabel">Last Updated:</span> <span class="metavalue">Nov 26, 2024</span> <span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-topics"><span class="metalabel">Topics:</span> <ul class="list-inline metavalue" aria-label="Topics:"><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Law%20of%20the%20Electoral%20College">Law of the Electoral College</a></span></li><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Legal%20Research">Legal Research</a></span></li></ul><span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-views"><span class="metalabel">Views:</span> <span class="metavalue">44691</span></span> </div> </li> <li class="s-la-faq-listing"> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-q"> <a href="https://ask.loc.gov/law/faq/300644" data-faqid="300644">Can I go into the stacks to browse or retrieve a book?</a> </div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-details"></div> <div class="s-la-faq-listing-meta"> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-updated"><span class="metalabel">Last Updated:</span> <span class="metavalue">Nov 21, 2024</span> <span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-topics"><span class="metalabel">Topics:</span> <ul class="list-inline metavalue" aria-label="Topics:"><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Law%20Library%20Collections">Law Library Collections</a></span></li><li><span class="label label-topic"><a href="/law/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Law%20Library%20Reading%20Room">Law Library Reading Room</a></span></li></ul><span class="divider">|</span></span> <span class="s-la-faq-listing-views"><span class="metalabel">Views:</span> <span class="metavalue">515</span></span> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="s-la-page-column-2" class="s-la-page-column col-md-4"> <div id="s-la-box-85996-container" class="s-la-box-container s-la-color-bars-border s-la-box-borderless s-la-box-type-1 s-la-box-position-1"> <div id="s-la-box-85996" class="s-la-box s-la-box-html"> <div class="s-la-box-title s-la-color-bars s-la-color-bars-border"> <h2>Learn More </h2> </div> <div id="" class="s-la-box-content clearfix" > <div id="s-la-content-link-85102" class="s-la-content-link s-la-content"> <a class="s-la-content-link-a" href="https://www.loc.gov/law/">Law Library of Congress</a> <div class="s-la-content-link-description">Established by Congress in 1832, the Law Library has a collection of over 2.65 million volumes spanning the ages and covering virtually every jurisdiction in the world.</div> </div> <div id="s-la-content-link-85103" class="s-la-content-link s-la-content"> <a class="s-la-content-link-a" href="https://guides.loc.gov/law-library">Law Library Research Guides</a> <div class="s-la-content-link-description">View guides created for topics ranging from law basics to the Supreme Court.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="s-la-box-85997-container" class="s-la-box-container s-la-color-bars-border s-la-box-borderless s-la-box-type-1 s-la-box-position-2"> <div id="s-la-box-85997" class="s-la-box s-la-box-html"> <div class="s-la-box-title s-la-color-bars s-la-color-bars-border"> <h2>Follow Us </h2> </div> <div id="" class="s-la-box-content clearfix" > <div id="s-la-content-link-85104" class="s-la-content-link s-la-content"> <a class="s-la-content-link-a" href="http://blogs.loc.gov/law/"><i class="fa fa-rss"></i> In Custodia Legis</a> <div class="s-la-content-link-description">The official blog of the Law Library.</div> </div> <div id="s-la-content-link-85105" class="s-la-content-link s-la-content"> <a class="s-la-content-link-a" href="https://twitter.com/LawLibCongress"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> @LawLibCongress <i class="fa fa-external-link"></i><span class="screen-readers-only">External</span></a> <div class="s-la-content-link-description">News and information from the Law Library of Congress in Washington, DC.</div> </div> <div id="s-la-content-link-85106" class="s-la-content-link s-la-content"> <a class="s-la-content-link-a" href="https://twitter.com/congressdotgov"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> @Congressdotgov <i class="fa fa-external-link"></i><span class="screen-readers-only">External</span></a> <div class="s-la-content-link-description">Tweets about Congress.gov, the U.S. legislative information system.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="s-la-box-85998-container" class="s-la-box-container s-la-color-bars-border s-la-box-borderless s-la-box-type-1 s-la-box-position-3"> <div id="s-la-box-85998" class="s-la-box s-la-box-html"> <div class="s-la-box-title s-la-color-bars s-la-color-bars-border"> <h2>Additional Ways to Contact Us </h2> </div> <div id="" class="s-la-box-content clearfix" > <div id="s-la-content-text-85107" class="s-la-content-text s-la-content"> <p><strong>Send written correspondence to:</strong></p> <p>The Law Library of Congress<br /> 101 Independence Avenue S.E.<br /> Washington, DC 20540-4860</p> </div> <div id="s-la-content-iconitem-85108" class="s-la-content-iconitem s-la-content clearfix"> <div class="s-la-content-iconitem-icon"> <a href="2027075079"> <i class="fa fa-phone"></i><span class="sr-only">(202) 707-5079</span> </a> </div> <div class="s-la-content-iconitem-text"> <a href="2027075079">(202) 707-5079</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="s-la-box-85999-container" class="s-la-box-container s-la-color-bars-border s-la-box-borderless s-la-box-type-1 s-la-box-position-4"> <div id="s-la-box-85999" class="s-la-box s-la-box-html"> <div class="s-la-box-title s-la-color-bars s-la-color-bars-border"> <h2>Please Note </h2> </div> <div id="" class="s-la-box-content clearfix" > <div id="s-la-content-text-85096" class="s-la-content-text s-la-content"> <p>We cannot provide legal advice, interpretation, or analysis which could be interpreted as the practice of law; extensive bibliographies or legislative histories; or answers for student homework assignments.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="s-la-row row"> <div id="s-la-page-column-4" class="s-la-column-bottom col-md-12"> </div> </div> </div> <div id="s-la-public-footer" class="s-la-footer s-la-color-bars s-la-color-bars-border" role="contentinfo"> <div id="s-la-footer-brand">Powered by <a href="https://springshare.com">Springshare</a>; All rights reserved.</div> <div id="s-la-footer-admin-links"> <span id="s-la-footer-login-link"><a href="/admin/login">Login to LibApps</a></span> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="loc-libguides-footer-wrapper"> <div class="container"> <div class="loc-libguides-footer-container row"> <div class="loc-libguides-footer col-xs-12"> <div class="loc-libguides-footer-left"> Hosted by Springshare </div> <div class="loc-libguides-footer-center"> <a href="https://www.loc.gov/legal/" target="_blank">Library of Congress Legal</a> <a href="https://springshare.com/privacy.html" target="_blank">SpringShare Privacy Policy</a> </div> <div class="loc-libguides-footer-right">  </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script> $(function() { // .removeClass("s-la-box-border-simple") $(".s-la-box-container.s-la-box-border-simple").addClass("red"); // .removeClass("s-la-box-borderless") $(".s-la-box-container.s-la-box-borderless").addClass("blue"); // move springshare footer links $( "#s-la-public-footer" ).appendTo( ".loc-libguides-footer-right" ).removeClass("s-la-footer s-la-color-bars s-la-color-bars-border"); }); </script>  <div id="s-la-public-tracking"><script src="//assets.adobedtm.com/dac62e20b491e735c6b56e64c39134d8ee93f9cf/satelliteLib-6b47f831c184878d7338d4683ecf773a17973bb9.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript">_satellite.pageBottom();</script></div>  <script> springSpace.cookieConsent.alert({ placement: 'bottom', consent_message: 'This\u0020site\u0020uses\u0020cookies\u0020as\u0020well\u0020as\u0020records\u0020your\u0020IP\u0020address\u0020for\u0020usage\u0020statistics.\u0020\u003Ca\u0020id\u003D\u0022s\u002Dui\u002Dcc\u002Dread\u002Dmore\u002Dlink\u0022\u0020href\u003D\u0022https\u003A\/\/www.loc.gov\/legal\/privacy\u002Dpolicy\/\u0022\u0020target\u003D\u0022_blank\u0022\u0020rel\u003D\u0022noreferrer\u0020noopener\u0022\u003ERead\u0020more\u003C\/a\u003E', read_more_callback: function(ev) { ev.preventDefault(); var bannerModal = springSpace.sui.modal({ title: 'Privacy\u0020Statement', content: '\u003Cp\u003ETo\u0020use\u0020this\u0020platform,\u0020the\u0020system\u0020writes\u0020one\u0020or\u0020more\u0020cookies\u0020in\u0020your\u0020browser.\u0020These\u0020cookies\u0020are\u0020not\u0020shared\u0020with\u0020any\u0020third\u0020parties.\u0020In\u0020addition,\u0020your\u0020IP\u0020address\u0020and\u0020browser\u0020information\u0020is\u0020stored\u0020in\u0020server\u0020logs\u0020and\u0020used\u0020to\u0020generate\u0020anonymized\u0020usage\u0020statistics.\u0020The\u0020Library\u0020uses\u0020these\u0020statistics\u0020to\u0020gauge\u0020the\u0020use\u0020of\u0020library\u0020content,\u0020and\u0020the\u0020information\u0020is\u0020not\u0020shared\u0020with\u0020any\u0020third\u0020parties.\u0020More\u0020information\u0020on\u0020the\u0020Library\u0027s\u0020privacy\u0020policy\u0020and\u0020general\u0020disclaimer\u0020\u003Ca\u0020href\u003D\u0022https\u003A\/\/www.loc.gov\/legal\/privacy\u002Dpolicy\/\u002520target\u003D\u0022\u003Eavailable\u0020here.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E' }); } }); </script> <script> jQuery(document).ready(function() { setUpPublicPage(); setUpAnswerPage( springSpace.la.Page.faq_id, springSpace.la.Page.iid, false ); }); </script> <div id="s-ui-notifyarea" role="alert" aria-atomic="true"></div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Ask a Librarian: Law Library of Congress - Ask a Librarian