Capitol Hawk
Four ways to find and read the public records behind news about the federal government.
Start with the bill number and the Congress in which it was introduced. Open the text and note the version date. When a headline describes a change, compare the passage it mentions with the most recent text and check the actions list for what happened since. Keep the bill number and version together when sharing the source so someone else can find the same text.
Find congressional bills at GovInfoFind the opinion by case name or docket number. Start with the syllabus for an overview, then read the opinion that explains the Court’s judgment. Separate writings can show where justices agreed with the outcome for different reasons or disagreed with it. If you return to an opinion later, check the Court’s site for the latest PDF before quoting it.
Browse Supreme Court opinionsOpen the notice in the Federal Register and read its Dates and Addresses sections. The first tells you when to submit a comment. The second tells you which submission methods the agency accepts. Keep the docket number handy and check for a later extension before relying on the date in the original notice. Read the proposal itself before deciding which parts to address.
See the Federal Register commenting guideCheck whether the figure shows an obligation or an outlay. An obligation records a commitment to spend. An outlay records money paid. The two can appear in different periods. When comparing awards, use the same measure and date range, and note whether you’re looking at a single transaction or the award as a whole.
Read the federal spending guide at USAspending