Law

The President often sends messages to Congress either as part of the process of creating laws, or in order to obtain Congressional approval for certain executive actions as required by the Constitution.

Congressional Record
Available through GPO Access (1994–current)
Available in Government Documents under X (1873–1996)
Available in Documents Microforms under X (1994–current)

Official transcript of debate on the floor of the House and Senate. Printed daily when Congress is in session. Presidential information includes proclamations, executive orders, addresses, messages, and statements.

Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States
Available online from GPO Access (1991–1998)
Available online from Library of Congress American Memory (1789–1875)
Available on CD (Call Number XJH:) at Documents Service Desk (1991–2002)
Available in Government Documents under Call Number Z 3.5: (1789–1815)
Available from Remote Storage under Call Number XJH: (1953–2001)

Journal of the Senate of the United States
Available online from Library of Congress American Memory (1789–1875)
Available from Remote Storage under Call Number XJS: (1953–2002)

The only publications required by the Constitution, these publications contain inaugural addresses, state of the union addresses, and various communications to Congress (veto messages, etc.).

U.S. Congressional Serial Set

Many messages, addresses, budget documents, and economic reports are printed as House or Senate Documents. Treaty documents and Senate executive reports are also included in the Serial Set.

Presidential messages to Congress may propose new legislation, explain vetoes, transmit documents, or convey information about the state of national affairs or other matter of concern.

Most of these communications are published by Congress.

Most messages are reprinted as congressional documents. They are printed in the Congressional Record and listed in the Congressional Record Index under “President of the U.S.”

Presidential messages are printed as House Documents. Current presidential messages are available from the House Document Room:

House Document Room
House Legislative Resource Center
B106 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-5200
Fax: 202-226-5208

Older house documents are published as part of the U.S. Congressional Serial Set.

Messages are reprinted in the House and Senate journals.

The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents indexes presidential messages under “Messages” and “Communications to Congress.”

Selected messages are printed in U.S. Code Congressional and Administrative News.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) helps the President to draft a budget to be sent to Congress for consideration.

1. Executive agencies submit requests for funds to the Office of Management and Budget

2. The President reviews these requests and makes the final decisions on what to go in the proposed budget

3. The budget documents are prepared and sent to Congress 

4. Congress reviews the President’s budget, prepares its own budget, and approves spending and revenue bills

5. The fiscal year begins 

6. Agency program managers execute the budget they have been provided

7. Data are collected on how much the government actually spends and receives

Budget (Office of Management and Budget)

Information on current and prior budgets.

Budget Documents (Office of Management and Budget)

Budget documents for the current fiscal year, as well as supporting documents and other sources of budget information.

Budget of the United States Government
In Government Documents under Call Number PrEx 2.8:[year]
Most recent on reserve at Documents Service Desk

Summary of the President’s proposed plans for the budget and any recommended taxes.

Budget of the United States Government, Appendix
In Government Documents under Call Number PrEx 2.8:[year] APP.
Most recent on reserve at Documents Service Desk

Detailed, line-item estimates of the budget, arranged by agency and account.

The United States Budget in Brief
In Government Documents under Call Number PrEx 2.8/2:[year]
Most recent on reserve at Documents Service DeskPrEx 2.8/2:[year]

Abridged version of the budget.

A Citizen’s Guide to the Federal Budget
In Government Documents under Call Number PrEx 2.8:[year] CITIZE

Provides information about the budget and the budget process for the general public. This publication doesn't seem to have been updated since 2002.

Budget System and Concepts
In Government Documents under Call Number PrEx 2.8/12:[year]
Formerly PrEx 2.2:B 85/5/ [year]

Explains budget concepts and describes the process used to formulate the President’s budget proposals

Analytical Perspectives, Budget of the United States Government
In Government Documents under Call Number PrEx 2.8/5:[year]
Most recent on reserve at Documents Service Desk

Places the budget in perspective by highlighting specific subject areas or by providing other significant presentations of budget data.

Historical Tables, Budget of the United States Government
In Government Documents under Call Number PrEx 2.8/8:[year]
Most recent on reserve at Documents Service Desk

Provides data on budget receipts, outlays, surpluses or deficits, Federal debt, and Federal employment over an extended time period, generally from 1940 or earlier to several years into the future. The data have been adjusted as much as possible to be consistent with the current budget and to provide comparability over time

Economic Report of the President
1947–current

This annual report written by the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors provides an overview of the nation’s economic progress using text and tabular data. The Economic Report of the President is transmitted to Congress no later than ten days after the submission of the Budget of the United States Government. Supplementary reports can be issued to the Congress which contain additional and/or revised recommendations.

In most advanced countries, only a handful of the most senior officials are replaced after a shift in political control, while most lower positions are handled by career government staff. In the U.S., however, thousands of new officials are brought in every time we have a new president.

Nominations to federal judgeships and to major positions in the Executive Branch must be submitted to the Senate for confirmation. This means that presidential nominations will be listed in congressional publications as well as in publications of presidential papers.

White House Transition Project

Several research reports on White House positions and the appointment process. Includes recommendations for reform.

Presidential Appointments: A Political Consulting Group

This non-partisan, not-for-profit public service organization searches for citizens interested in serving as political appointees in the U. S. government and teaches people how to apply for and be appointed to these positions successfully. 

Staffing a New Administration: A Guide to Personnel Appointments in a Presidential Transition (The Brookings Institution)

This guide for journalists provides factual and historical information about previous presidential transitions and context for the one that began in 2000, with the hope that Americans will come to know who is being chosen to lead their government, how those choices are made,  and why some people were selected and others were not.

A Survivor’s Guide for Presidential Nominees (Council for Excellence in Government/Presidential Appointee Initiative)

This handbook provides nonpartisan information on the presidential appointments process.

Bush Administration Nominations (White House)

List of everyone nominated by President Bush. Can be browsed by name or by date; includes date nominated, date announced, date confirmed, and full text of nomination.

Appointments (White House)

An explanation of how to apply for appointments in the Bush administration. Includes downloadable application forms. 

United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions (GPO Access)

More commonly known as the Plum Book (not because of its color, which indeed is plum, but because it lists “plum” governmental positions), this publication is issued every four years (alternately by the House and by the Senate), just after the presidential election. It contains data on available federal civil service leadership and support positions in the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. The people holding these positions usually have a close and confidential relationship with the agency head or other key officials.

Presidential Nominations (THOMAS)

Information on nominations and appointments during 100th Congress (1987-88) through current Congress. Database can be searched by name, keyword, number of Congress, type of nomination, presidential nomination (PN) number, or type of legislative action taken.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Available online through GPO Access (1993–current)
Available to UNT community through ProQuest (1992–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.109 : (1984–current); GS 4.114 : (1965–1983)

At the end of each issue is a list of presidential nominations submitted to the Senate.

Public Papers of the President of the United States
Available online through GPO Access (1992–current)
Available to UNT community through LexisNexis (1979–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.114 : (1984–current); GS 4.113 : (1929–1983)

Congressional Record
Available through GPO Access (1994–current)
Available in Government Documents under X (1873–1996)
Available in Documents Microforms under X (1994–current)

The Daily Digest for the Senate contains the names of those nominated and those confirmed.

Congressional Record Index
Available through GPO Access (1983–current)
Available in Government Documents under X/a:

“Executive Nominations and Confirmations” lists names of those nominated and those confirmed.

Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States of America
Available at Library of Congress American Memory site (1789–1875)
Available in Government Documents Y1.4:EX3 (1901–1948; Y 1.3/4: (1980–2002)

From its inaugural session, in addition to its legislative journal, the Senate has maintained a separate record of the executive proceedings that relate to its functions of confirming presidential nominees and consenting to the making of treaties.

Treaties are often referred to by terms such as convention, covenant, agreement, pact, accord, and protocol.

They may be bilateral (between two countries) or multilateral (among three or more countries). 

Treaties must by ratified by two thirds of the Senate to become effective. They are considered laws and may supersede earlier laws or treaties.

1. Secretary of State authorizes negotiation
2. U.S. representatives negotiate
3. Representatives agree on terms and—with authorization of Secretary of State—sign treaty
4. President submits treaty to Senate
5. Senate Foreign Relations Committee considers treaty and reports to Senate
6. Senate considers and approves by 2/3 majority
7. President proclaims treaty to be in force

Senate, House, and Treaty Documents (GPO Access)

Online access to Senate Treaty Documents since 1995. Includes accompanying messages from the President and the Secretary of State with the treaty text.

Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS)
In Government Documents under Call Number S 9.10:

Pre-prints of all treaties ratified by the Senate and signed by the President, issued individually 6–12 months after they are in force.

United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (UST)
In Government Documents under Call Number S 9.12:

Compilation of all U.S. treaties ratified since 1950.

Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America, 1776–1949 (Bevans)
In Government Documents under Call Number S 9.12/2:

Compilation of all pre-1950 U.S. treaties.

Treaties in Force (TIF)
Available in Government Documents under Call Number S 9.14:[year]
Latest at Documents Service Desk

Lists and summarizes all U.S. treaties and agreements currently in effect, arranged by country and by topic. Includes USTIAS and UST numbers.

Treaties Search Page (Thomas)

Search for treaties and their status by Congress, by date transmitted to Senate, by treaty number, by type of treaty, or by keyword or phrase. Complete coverage begins with the 94th Congress. Older treaties are included if they were pending in 1975 (when the database was created). Includes links to full text of treaties and related documents on GPO Access (for 104th to present Congress).

Treaties (U.S. Senate)

Identify treaties received from the President, treaties on the Executive Calendar, treaties approved by the Senate, and listings of other recent treaty status actions, including treaties that were rejected by the Senate or withdrawn by the President, during the current Congress.

Treaties Received identifies treaties received from the President during the current Congress as well as the committee referral actions taken.

Treaties Reported identifies treaties reported out by the Foreign Relations committee, placed on the Executive Calendar with a sequentially assigned calendar number, and that are ready for Senate floor consideration.

Treaties Actions identifies treaties that have had Senate floor status actions during the current Congress. The date and a brief description of each floor action is provided.

Treaties Approved identifies treaties that were approved by the Senate during the current Congress. Includes links to the text of the treaty ratification resolutions.

Congressional Record Index
Available through GPO Access (1983–current)
Available in Government Documents under X/a:

Treaty actions and discussion appearing in the Congressional Record are listed under the heading “Treaties” and sometimes under the name of a specific treaty or its subject matter.

Although they are not required, the President usually makes a statement upon signing or rejecting a piece of legislation from Congress, giving his opinion on the legislation and why he thinks it is or isn’t a good idea.

The Line Item Veto Act of 1996 briefly gave the President authority to cancel a single provision of a bill in certain cases, but in 1998 the Supreme Court ruled the line item veto unconstitutional.

Although they can be found elsewhere, these are the two most convenient sources for Presidential messages approving or vetoing legislation: 

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Available online through GPO Access (1993–current)
Available to UNT community through ProQuest (1992–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.109 : (1984–current); GS 4.114 : (1965–1983)

Listed under “bill signings” in the index.

Public Papers of the President of the United States
Available online through GPO Access (1992–current)
Available to UNT community through LexisNexis (1979–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.114 : (1984–current); GS 4.113 : (1929–1983)

Listed under “bill signings” in the index.

The following sources will tell you if a bill was vetoed, but will not include a veto message:

Thomas (Library of Congress)

For 93rd Congress–current; look under “Bill Summary and Status”

History of Line Item Veto Notices (GPO Access)

Lists notices of line item vetoes as they appeared in the Federal Register.

The Constitution requires that the President “shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union,” recommending any specific legislation he thinks should be passed.

Some Presidents have communicated their State of the Union messages through a letter; others have given speeches, which is now the standard procedure.

Annual Messages to Congress on the State of the Union (1790-2002) (American Presidency Project—UC Santa Barbara)

Full texts of all State of the Union messages from George Washington to the present.

State of the Union Address (C-SPAN)

Transcriptions of all State of the Union addresses since 1945. The more recent ones are even available as videos.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Available online through GPO Access (1993–current)
Available to UNT community through ProQuest (1992–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.109 : (1984–current); GS 4.114 : (1965–1983)

State of the Union Addresses are listed in index under “Addresses to the Nation.”

Public Papers of the President of the United States
Available online through GPO Access (1992–current)
Available to UNT community through LexisNexis (1979–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.114 : (1984–current); GS 4.113 : (1929–1983)

State of the Union Addresses are listed in index under “Addresses to the Nation.”

In his role as chief of state, the President often addresses messages to certain individuals or groups, or to the general public at large. The President also issues public relations documents providing information about the executive department.

White House

The current administration keeps executive orders, speeches, press releases, and many other presidential documents posted on the White House Web site.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Available online through GPO Access (1993–current)
Available to UNT community through ProQuest (1992–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.109 : (1984–current); GS 4.114 : (1965–1983)

The mother lode of presidential publications, this compilation includes most documents and communications issued by the President. It is published each Monday by the Office of the Federal Register and contains statements, messages, and other Presidential materials released by the White House during the preceding week.

These are the categories of documents published in the Weekly Compilation:

• Proclamations, executive orders, and reorganization plans
• Speeches given in person, on the radio, and on television
• Letters, telegrams, and other written messages
• News conferences and a checklist of White House press releases
• Announcements of resignations and retirements 
• Communications to Congress, including signing and veto statements
• A list of acts approved by the president
• Nominations submitted to the Senate
• A digest of other White House announcements

Public Papers of the President of the United States
Available online through GPO Access (1992–current)
Available to UNT community through LexisNexis (1979–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.114 : (1984–current); GS 4.113 : (1929–1983)

Every year a bound, compiled version of the documents from the Weekly Compilation is issued. Indexed by subject, name and document category. This is the executive department’s equivalent to the legislative branch’s Congressional Record or the judicial branch’s U.S. Reports. Includes the papers of all Presidents from 1929 (Hoover) to the present (except for those of Roosevelt, which were published privately).

The Public Papers and Addresses of Franklin D. Roosevelt were published privately and are located in Documents Reference under Call Number 308 R679p.

A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789–1897.
Serial Set 3265-1 through 10
Also in Remote Storage under Call Number 353 Un3pr

An extensive compilation assembled by James D. Richardson and published under Congressional authority between 1896 and 1899. Covers Washington through McKinley.

The Presidential Papers
CD-ROM 193, located in Government Documents

Combines A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789-1897 with the first seventy-nine volumes of Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States. Includes electronic search capabilities.

The Papers of the Presidents of the United States (The Avalon Project at Yale University)

Full text of selected documents, including inaugural addresses, annual messages, proclamations, vetoes. So far it includes papers of the following presidents:

• George Washington
• John Adams
• Thomas Jefferson
• James Madison
• James Monroe
• Andrew Jackson
• James Polk
• Theodore Roosevelt
• Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Harry S. Truman
• Dwight D. Eisenhower
• William  Clinton
• George W.  Bush

The President may proclaim something like National Bone and Joint Decade or National Cancer Awareness Week, and will invite the public to observe this time period with appropriate programs and activities.

More substantive proclamations may deal with trade, imports and exports, and tariffs. They are often triggered by a congressional resolution authorizing and requesting the president to issue a proclamation.

Federal Register
Available online via GPO Access (1994–current); select “Presidential Documents”
Available online via LexisNexis Academic (1980–current); select “Presidential Documents” for type of action
Microfiche (1936–August 2004) available in Government Documents Microfiche cabinet #43)

The official source. Proclamations are listed under “Presidential Documents,” “President of the U.S.,” or by subject. Often proclamations and executive orders are cited by the Federal Register volume and page where they first appeared, rather than by number.

Code of Federal Regulations (Title 3)
Available online via GPO Access (1996–current); select “Title 3”
Microfiche (1938–1996) available in Government Documents Microfiche cabinet #4

Title 3 of the CFR contains all of the presidential proclamations, executive orders and other presidential documents required to be published in the Federal Register.

Statutes at Large
In Government Documents under GS 4.11:[1st–97th Congress] and AE 2.111: [98th–current Congress]
Available online to UNT community through LexisNexis Academic

Includes all proclamations issued since 1791.

Codification of Presidential Proclamations and Executive Orders
In Government Documents Reference under AE 2.113:  1945–1989

Provides in one convenient reference source all proclamations and executive orders currently in effect. It covers April 13, 1945, through January 20, 1989, spanning the administrations of Harry S. Truman through Ronald Reagan. Proclamations are listed under subject or proclamation number.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Available online through GPO Access (1993–current)
Available to UNT community through ProQuest (1992–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.109 : (1984–current); GS 4.114 : (1965–1983)

Public Papers of the President of the United States
Available online through GPO Access (1992–current)
Available to UNT community through LexisNexis (1979–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.114 : (1984–current); GS 4.113 : (1929–1983)

Proclamations are listed by issue date.

A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789–1897.
Serial Set 3265-1 through 10
Also in Remote Storage under Call Number 353 Un3pr

Contains full text of early proclamations.

The President will send birthday, anniversary, or other greetings to specific individuals upon request as long as certain guidelines are met.

The President also issues general greetings to the public through a press release on holidays and other special occasions.

White House Greetings Office

This is the place to request a greeting from the President on behalf of a friend or family member.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Available online through GPO Access (1993–current)
Available to UNT community through ProQuest (1992–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.109 : (1984–current); GS 4.114 : (1965–1983)

Public Papers of the President of the United States
Available online through GPO Access (1992–current)
Available to UNT community through LexisNexis (1979–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.114 : (1984–current); GS 4.113 : (1929–1983)

Public speeches (also known as addresses) may made by the President

• On television 
• On the radio
• Before official and unofficial gatherings

White House

Often the first place the text of a speech will appear is on the White House Web site. The White House Web site posts the text and sometimes an audio or video recording of the President’s speeches. Sometimes the text of the speech appears as a press release. These texts can be browsed by topic, or the entire site can be searched by keyword.

Some sections of the site likely to include speeches:

• Latest News
• Presidential News and Speeches (Press Releases)
• Radio Addresses of President Bush
• Multimedia Speeches (Video and Audio)

Newspapers

The New York Times and other major newspapers sometimes reprint the full text of a speech on the day after it was presented.

Recent issues of major newspapers can be searched in LexisNexis Academic by members of the UNT Community (select News from side menu).

Newspapers are also accessible by members of the UNT Community through the Electronic Resources (Journals) page and through the Library Catalog (Title Search).

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Available online through GPO Access (1993–current)
Available to UNT community through ProQuest (1992–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.109 : (1984–current); GS 4.114 : (1965–1983)

Public Papers of the President of the United States
Available online through GPO Access (1992–current)
Available to UNT community through LexisNexis (1979–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.114 : (1984–current); GS 4.113 : (1929–1983)

Although it is not a Constitutional requirement, every Presidential inauguration has featured a (usually) brief speech delivered by the newly-elected chief executive. At first this speech was made to Congress, but since 1817 it has been made to the general public, usually outdoors.

In addition to the sources listed above for speeches, the following sources specifically feature inaugural addresses:

Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States
Available in Government Documents Reference under Serial Set Number 13914  

This work celebrates the bicentennial of the Presidency with a transcription of each inaugural address delivered from 1789 (Washington) to 1989 (George Bush). It also includes a list of presidents who were not inaugurated.

“I Do Solemnly Swear…”: Presidential Inaugurations (Library of Congress American Memory Collection)

Collection of selected items from each of the 54 inaugurations from George Washington to George W. Bush. Includes diaries and letters of presidents and of those who witnessed inaugurations, handwritten drafts of inaugural addresses, broadsides, inaugural tickets and programs, prints, photographs, and sheet music. 

A televised press conference (sometimes called a news conference) often provides an opportunity to see the President thinking and speaking extemporaneously, as opposed to reading a pre-written speech. 

Sometimes the President opens with a prepared statement, which is then followed by questions from reporters. Sometimes only questioning occurs, with no opening statement. Sometimes the President may make a statement only, with no questions permitted.

A press briefing is a televised announcement to the media made by the President’s Press Secretary.

A press gaggle is a press briefing that is not televised, but is considered on-the-record. A transcript is usually made available in paper or online.

White House: Latest News

Press releases, speeches, and other public relations materials arranged in reverse chronological order.

White House: Press Briefing Archives

Transcriptions of press briefings and press gaggles given by the President’s Press Secretary.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Available online through GPO Access (1993–current)
Available to UNT community through ProQuest (1992–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.109 : (1984–current); GS 4.114 : (1965–1983)

Public Papers of the President of the United States
Available online through GPO Access (1992–current)
Available to UNT community through LexisNexis (1979–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.114 : (1984-current); GS 4.113 : (1929-1983)

Often, instead of waiting for reporters to find out about a newsworthy event and write about it, the President’s Press Office will write out their own news story, complete with headline, and distribute it to newspapers and other media.

A press release may be sent out by itself or may be part of a complete press kit with contact numbers and other information.

Presidential News and Speeches

Press releases, speeches, and other public relations materials arranged in reverse chronological order.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Available online through GPO Access (1993–current)
Available to UNT community through ProQuest (1992–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.109 : (1984–current); GS 4.114 : (1965–1983)

Public Papers of the President of the United States
Available online through GPO Access (1992–current)
Available to UNT community through LexisNexis (1979–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.114 : (1984–current); GS 4.113 : (1929–1983)

As chief diplomat, the President often produces documents pertaining to the relations of the United States with other nations.

Treaties are often referred to by terms such as convention, covenant, agreement, pact, accord, and protocol.

They may be bilateral (between two countries) or multilateral (among three or more countries). 

Treaties must by ratified by two thirds of the Senate to become effective. They are considered laws and may supersede earlier laws or treaties.

1. Secretary of State authorizes negotiation
2. U.S. representatives negotiate
3. Representatives agree on terms and (with authorization of Secretary of State) sign treaty
4. President submits treaty to Senate
5. Senate Foreign Relations Committee considers treaty and reports to Senate
6. Senate considers and approves by 2/3 majority
7. President proclaims treaty to be in force

Senate, House, and Treaty Documents (GPO Access)

Online access to Senate Treaty Documents since 1995. Includes accompanying messages from the President and the Secretary of State with the treaty text.

Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS)
In Government Documents under Call Number S 9.10:

Pre-prints of all treaties ratified by the Senate and signed by the President, issued individually 6–12 months after they are in force.

United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (UST)
In Government Documents under Call Number S 9.12:

Compilation of all U.S. treaties ratified since 1950.

Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America, 1776–1949 (Bevans)
In Government Documents under Call Number S 9.12/2:

Compilation of all pre-1950 U.S. treaties.

United States Statutes at Large
In Government Documents under Call Number GS4.111:vol.
Volumes 1–18 available from Library of Congress

Volume 7 collects all treaties between U.S. and Indian tribes from 1778-1842.
Volume 8 collects all treaties between U.S. and other countries from 1778-1845. 
From 1846 on, treaties were published in the sessional volumes.
Volume 64, Part 3 contains cumulative list of all treaties and agreements included in volumes 1–64.
After 1950, the official publication for U.S. treaties became UST.

Treaties in Force (TIF)
Available in Government Documents under Call Number S 9.14:[year]
Latest at Documents Service Desk

Lists and summarizes all U.S. treaties and agreements currently in effect, arranged by country and by topic. Includes USTIAS and UST numbers.

Treaties Search Page (Thomas)

Search for treaties and their status by Congress, by date transmitted to Senate, by treaty number, by type of treaty, or by keyword or phrase. Complete coverage begins with the 94th Congress. Older treaties are included if they were pending in 1975 (when the database was created). Includes links to full text of treaties and related documents on GPO Access (for 104th to present Congress).

Treaties (U.S. Senate)

Identify treaties received from the President, treaties on the Executive Calendar, treaties approved by the Senate, and listings of other recent treaty status actions, including treaties that were rejected by the Senate or withdrawn by the President, during the current Congress.

Treaties Received identifies treaties received from the President during the current Congress as well as the committee referral actions taken.

Treaties Reported identifies treaties reported out by the Foreign Relations committee, placed on the Executive Calendar with a sequentially assigned calendar number, and that are ready for Senate floor consideration.

Treaties Actions identifies treaties that have had Senate floor status actions during the current Congress. The date and a brief description of each floor action is provided.

Treaties Approved identifies treaties that were approved by the Senate during the current Congress. Includes links to the text of the treaty ratification resolutions.

Congressional Record Index
Available through GPO Access (1983–current)
Available in Government Documents under X/a:

Treaty actions and discussion appearing in the Congressional Record are listed under the heading “Treaties” and sometimes under the name of a specific treaty or its subject matter.

The President has the authority to make agreements with the chief executives of other countries. Although these have the same legal status as treaties, they do not not require the advice and consent of the Senate.

There is no restriction on the President’s authority to make such agreements, as long as they do not violate or alter any existing law or treaty.

The President is required to notify the Senate within 60 days of any executive agreement. Congress then has the option of voting to cancel the executive agreement, or to refuse funding for their implementation. 

Unlike treaties, executive agreements are not mentioned in the Constitution. They are, however, far more common than treaties or legislative actions.

1. Secretary of State authorizes negotiation
2. U.S. representatives negotiate
3. Representatives agree on terms and (with authorization of Secretary of State) sign agreement
4. Agreement enters into force
5. President transmits agreement to Congress

Executive Agreements often take as long as five years to be published, and can be very difficult to locate. Certain categories of executive agreements are exempt from publication.

Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS)
In Government Documents under Call Number S 9.10:

Pre-prints of all treaties ratified by the Senate and signed by the President, issued individually 6–12 months after they are in force.

United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (UST)
In Government Documents under Call Number S 9.12:

Official compilation of all U.S. treaties ratified since 1950.

Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America, 1776–1949 (Bevans)
In Government Documents under Call Number S 9.12/2:

Compilation of all pre-1950 U.S. treaties.

United States Statutes at Large
In Government Documents under Call Number GS4.111:vol.

Volumes 47–64 include executive agreements.
Volume 64, Part 3 contains cumulative list of all treaties and agreements included in volumes 1–64.
After 1950, the official publication for U.S. treaties and agreements became United States Treaties and Other International Agreements.

Letters can be instructions to chiefs of diplomatic missions, or trade agreement letters issued under GATT.

Federal Register
Available online via GPO Access (1994–current); select “Presidential Documents”
Available online via LexisNexis Academic (1980–current); select “Presidential Documents” for type of action
Microfiche (1936–August 2004) available in Government Documents Microfiche cabinet #43)

Letters are published under the heading of “Presidential Documents” or “President of the U.S.”

Code of Federal Regulations (Title 3)
Available online via GPO Access (1996–current); select “Title 3”
Microfiche (1938–1996) available in Government Documents Microfiche cabinet #4

Letters and similar items are listed by type of document following the executive orders section.

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Available online through GPO Access (1993–current)
Available to UNT community through ProQuest (1992–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.109 : (1984–current); GS 4.114 : (1965–1983)

Letters are listed under “letters and messages” and under “communications to federal agencies.”

Public Papers of the President of the United States
Available online through GPO Access (1992–current)
Available to UNT community through LexisNexis (1979–current)
Available on Third Floor Willis Library AE 2.114 : (1984–current); GS 4.113 : (1929–1983)

Letters are listed under the same headings used for the Weekly Compilation.

The President is authorized to grant reprieves and pardons for any cases except those involving impeachment. No approval of any other government agency or official is required for a pardon or reprieve to become effective. There does not have to be a conviction before a person can be pardoned.

Pardon

Relieves a person of any punishment for a crime.

Reprieve

Temporarily postpones punishment (usually a death sentence).

Commutation

Substitutes a less severe punishment for the one originally imposed by the court.

Amnesty

Pardons an entire class or group of people (usually guilty, or accused, of a political offense).

Although general statistics on Presidential clemency are available, there are as yet no comprehensive publicly-accessible historical records of Presidential grants of clemency, giving such details as names, offenses, and dates when clemency was granted.

Office of the Pardon Attorney (U.S. Dept. of Justice)

Includes statistics on pardons granted from 1900–2001 and lists of grantees from 1898–2001. Historic files can be requested under FOIA.

Notable Pardons (Jurist)

Includes list of all of Clinton’s pardons, plus a select list of historically significant pardons from Washington through George Bush.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is an independent federal agency responsible for overseeing the management of all federal records.

Presidential Documents Guide links to online collections of executive orders, proclamations, determinations, memoranda, messages to Congress, speeches, press conferences, and other documents published in the Federal Register, the Code of Federal Regulations, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, and the Public Papers of the Presidents.

Research Presidential Materials is a guide to using numerous federal records and historical materials related to the presidency. Most of these are not available online and are unpublished

The Presidential Library system is made up of eleven Presidential Libraries. This nationwide network of libraries is administered by the Office of Presidential Libraries, which is part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

These are not like traditional libraries—you can’t check out books from them, for example. Rather, they are repositories for preserving and making available the papers, records, and other historical materials of U.S. Presidents since Herbert Hoover. Each Presidential Library contains a museum and provides an active series of public programs.

• Herbert Hoover Library
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
• Harry S. Truman Library
• Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
• John F. Kennedy Library
• Lyndon Baines Johnson Library
• Gerald R. Ford Library
• Jimmy Carter Library
• Ronald Reagan Library
• George Bush Library
• William J. Clinton Library

Whenever a President leaves office, NARA establishes a presidential project until a new presidential library is built and transferred to the government.

There is a Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace established in Yorba Linda, California, but it is not yet part of the Presidential Library system because of ongoing litigation over public access to Presidential materials of the Nixon administration, including the White House tapes. The Nixon Presidential Materials are currently administered by the Nixon Presidential Materials Staff of the National Archives and Records Administration, under the terms of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974 (PRMPA). This law, which applies only to the Nixon Presidential materials, stipulates that those materials relevant to the understanding of abuse of governmental power and Watergate are to be processed and released to the public prior to the release of all other materials.

Presidential Libraries (National Archives and Records Administration)

Directory of presidential libraries. Includes descriptions of the Presidential Library System, links to the Libraries’ Web sites, and information about using the Libraries and researching Presidential documents.

A Guide to Manuscripts in the Presidential Libraries
CD3029.82 .B87 1985 [Located in General Reference, 1st Floor Willis Library]

Detailed index to the collections in the Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Gerald R. Ford libraries.

Presidential Libraries and Collections (Fritz Veit) 
CD3029.82 .V45 1987 [Located on Second Floor, Willis Library]

Describes the contents, organization, and facilities of each library and collection and provides an overview of how the libraries developed and how they are currently maintained.

Records of the Presidency: Presidential Papers and Libraries from Washington to Reagan (Frank Schick) 
CD3029.82 .S35 1989 [Located in General Reference, 1st Floor Willis Library]

Provides a short biographical sketch of each president and a history of the individual’s presidential papers. Gives a brief description of what papers are available and where they are located.

Title 3 of the Code of Federal Regulations contains a table called “Presidential Documents affected during [year].”

Presidential documents which have been amended, revoked, or affected by another presidential document are listed in this table by type (proclamations, executive orders, etc.) and then by number or date.

The corresponding page number of the Federal Register is given that contains the text of the amending document.

To be absolutely sure no other recent documents have affected your document, consult the last issue of the Federal Register for each month following. “List of Sections Affected” tables are cumulated in each daily issue of the Federal Register. They are arranged by title and document type, with page numbers given for the amending documents.

Federal Register
Available online via GPO Access (1994–current); select “Presidential Documents”
Available online via LexisNexis Academic (1980–current); select “Presidential Documents” for type of action
Microfiche (1936–August 2004) available in Government Documents Microfiche cabinet #43)

Code of Federal Regulations (Title 3)
Available online via GPO Access (1996–current); select “Title 3”
Microfiche (1938–1996) available in Government Documents Microfiche cabinet #4