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U.S. Federal Documents

Northwestern University Libraries have been a U.S. Federal Depository Library since 1876. Our collection includes materials in paper, microfiche, CD-ROM, DVD formats and online formats. This guide is based on a similar guide by Kelly Smith at UCSD.

Press Releases & Agency Updates

This is a small selection of press releases from federal agencies.  Some are RSS feeds which are automatically updated regularly.   Others are links to the news/press release page of an agency website.  If you would like to know more about activities or publications of a specific agency not listed here, please contact govinfo@northwestern.edu for assistance.

To see what members of Congress Tweet about (both collectively and individually) check out The Language of Congress from The Pudding.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) promotes a better understanding of the U.S. economy by providing the most timely, relevant, and accurate economic accounts data in an objective and cost-effective manner.

Browse BEA data products

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

CBO produces independent analyses of budgetary and economic issues to support the Congressional budget process. Each year, the agency’s economists and budget analysts produce dozens of reports and hundreds of cost estimates for proposed legislation.  CBO is strictly nonpartisan; conducts objective, impartial analysis; and hires its employees solely on the basis of professional competence without regard to political affiliation. CBO does not make policy recommendations, and each report and cost estimate summarizes the methodology underlying the analysis.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States, under the Department of Health and Human Services, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

24/7 Role of the CDC:

  • Detecting and responding to new and emerging health threats
  • Tackling the biggest health problems causing death and disability for Americans
  • Putting science and advanced technology into action to prevent disease
  • Promoting healthy and safe behaviors, communities and environment
  • Developing leaders and training the public health workforce, including disease detectives
  • Taking the health pulse of our nation
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The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation’s leading provider of quality data about its people and economy, providing the best mix of timeliness, relevancy, quality and cost for the data we collect and services we provide.

The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate.

Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. The site provides access to accurate, timely, and complete legislative information for Members of Congress, legislative agencies, and the public. It is presented by the Library of Congress (LOC) using data from the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Office of the Secretary of the Senate, the Government Publishing Office, Congressional Budget Office, and the LOC’s Congressional Research Service.

The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and the environment.

The Dept of Homeland Security was established in 2002, combining 22 different federal departments.  Its mission includes protecting Americans from terrorism and and security threats; securing US borders; securing cyberspace and critical infrastructure; preserving economic security by protecting transportation, enforcing international trade laws, and safeguarding financial systems; and enhancing the nation's preparedness and responses to natural disasters and other incidents.

ALL DHS News webpage which you can search by keyword, data, type of news media, and topical category.

The mission of the Dept of Labor (DOL) is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights. DOL is made up of 26 subagencies

DOL News releases can be searched by subagency of the Labor Dept, broad topic categories, state, and year.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the Department of the Interior which manages public lands and resources across the continental United States and Alaska for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

BLM Press Releases can be searched by keyword, region, or year.

The National Security Agency (NSA) is a national-level intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense, under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence. The NSA is responsible for global monitoring, collection, and processing of information and data for foreign and domestic intelligence and counterintelligence purposes, specializing in a discipline known as signals intelligence.

The Department of State advises the President and leads the nation in foreign policy issues. The State Department negotiates treaties and agreements with foreign entities, and represents the United States at the United Nations.

Press Releases

Press Releases from the U.S. Dept of Transportation.  Searchable by date, keyword, and mode of transportation.

Trump Trials

Jan 6 Investigation: Guides to Sources

Jan 6 Investigation: Office of the Special Counsel

Whistleblower Documents 2019-2020

News Media