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Statutes at Large: Search Tips

Sample Searches (8)

The following sample searches are provided as guides to general types of searches in the Statutes at Large database. They are performed in the Statutes at Large database for the 109th Congress. For the sake of space, only the top three hits in each results list are included with each example below.

SubjectPublic Law Number | Statutes at Large Citation | U.S. Code Citation
Proclamation Number | Concurrent Resolution Citation | Popular Name | Bill Number

1. Search by Statutes at Large Citation

This type of search returns documents based on their Statutes at Large citation. A Statutes at Large citation includes the volume number, the abbreviation "stat," and the number of that particular law as assigned in the Statutes at Large. The entire query should be enclosed in quotation marks for the most accurate results.

Query: "120 stat. 1257"
Results: [109 Statutes2 At Large] Making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes. NOTE: Sept. 29, 2006 - [H.R. 5631]

2. Search by Public Law Number

This type of search returns documents based on their public law number. The phrase "public law" should not be abbreviated. Moreover, the entire query should be enclosed in quotation marks for the most accurate results.

Query: "public law 109-289"
Results: [109 Statutes2 At Large] Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes. NOTE: Dec. 9, 2006 - [H.J. Res. 102]
[109 Statutes2 At Large] Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes. NOTE: Nov. 17, 2006 - [H.J. Res. 100]
[109 Statutes2 At Large] Making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes. NOTE: Sept. 29, 2006 - [H.R. 5631]

3. Search by Subject

This type of search returns documents that are related to a specific subject. The word(s) that you enter as your search term(s) may appear anywhere within the document.

Query: compensation
Results:
[109 Statutes2 At Large] To provide economic security for all Americans, and for other purposes. NOTE: Aug. 17, 2006 - [H.R. 4]
[109 Statutes2 At Large] To complete the codification of title 46, United States Code, ``Shipping'', as positive law. NOTE: Oct. 6, 2006 - [H.R. 1442]
[109 Statutes2 At Large] To increase, effective as of December 1, 2006, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. NOTE: Oct. 16, 2006 - [S. 2562]

4. Search by U.S. Code Citation

This type of search returns documents based on United States Code citations. A U.S. Code citation includes a title number, the abbreviation "usc," and a section number. The entire query should be enclosed in quotation marks for the most accurate results.

Query:

"22 usc 2151"

Results: [109 Statutes2 At Large] To promote relief, security, and democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. NOTE: Dec. 22, 2006 - [S. 2125]
[109 Statutes2 At Large] To hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran. NOTE: Sept. 30, 2006 - [H.R. 6198]
[109 Statutes2 At Large] To authorize certain activities by the Department of State, and for other purposes. NOTE: Jan. 11, 2007 - [H.R. 6060]

The use of truncation in the query will return subsections from the U.S. Code, as well as full sections. For example, the query "22 usc 2151*" could return documents with citations such as "22 usc 2151b," "22 usc 2151f," and so on.

5. Search by Proclamation Number

This type of search returns documents based on their proclamation number. The word "Proclamation" should not be abbreviated. Moreover, the entire query should be enclosed in quotation marks for the most accurate results.

Query: "Proclamation 8000"
Results: [109 Statutes2 At Large] PROCLAMATION 8000--APR. 7, 2006 Proclamation 8000 of April 7, 2006 National D.A.R.E. Day, 2006

6. Search by Concurrent Resolution Citation

This type of search returns documents based on their concurrent resolution citation. The terms, House Concurrent Resolution and Senate Concurrent Resolution should be abbreviated as noted below. Moreover, the entire query should be enclosed in quotation marks for the most accurate results.

Query: "H. Con. Res. 382"
Results: [109 Statutes2 At Large] NOTE: Apr. 7, 2006 - [H.Con.Res.382] ADJOURNMENT--HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE
[109 Statutes2 At Large] LIST OF CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
Query: "S. Con. Res. 103"
Results: [109 Statutes2 At Large] NOTE: June 22, 2006 - [S.Con.Res.103] ENROLLMENT CORRECTIONS--H.R. 889
[109 Statutes2 At Large] LIST OF CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS

7. Search by Popular Name

This type of search returns documents based on their popular name. Phrases should not be abbreviated. Moreover, the entire query should be enclosed in quotation marks for the most accurate results.

Query: "Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006"
Results: [109 Statutes2 At Large] To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2007 through 2011, and for other purposes. NOTE: Oct. 17, 2006 - [H.R. 6197]
[109 Statutes2 At Large] SUBJECT INDEX

8. Search by Bill Number

This type of search returns documents based on their bill number. The terms, House Bill (H.R.), House Joint Resolution (H. J. Res.), Senate Bill (S.), and Senate Joint Resolution (S. J. Res.), should be abbreviated as noted. Moreover, the entire query should be enclosed in quotation marks for the most accurate results.

Query: "h.r. 1953"
Results: [109 Statutes2 At Large] To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the Old Mint at San Francisco, otherwise known as the "Granite Lady'', and for other purposes. NOTE: June 15, 2006 - [H.R. 1953]
[109 Statutes2 At Large] LIST OF BILLS ENACTED INTO PUBLIC LAW