Resources
The resources listed below have been chosen as specifically helpful to your assignment. Additionally, you may well want to check your representative's office website or give them a call for information.
Dictrict Information
- Fast Facts for Congress
From the United States Census Bureau. Select State and then District. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates and 2016 County Business Patterns
The Book of the States by Call Number: REF JK2403 .B6 2017The Book of the States is collection of tables on various topics, divided by state. It may help you flesh out your District Profile. The information subjects covered are a bit random, but include things like finances, taxes, education, business incentives, capital punishment, etc.
America Votes by Call Number: JK1967 .A8 v.32ISBN: 1452283281America Votes contains tables of election data, by state, for Presidential, House, Senate, Gubernatorial, general, primary, and special elections. 2015-2016 is the most recent publication available.
Member information
- Congress.gov
"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."
Searching in Congress.gov
Most useful for this assignment, you can search legislation or members
For legislation simply select "All legislation" in the drop down menu and enter the area or specific legislation you are interested in.
For members, simply scroll down for "Current Members of Congress" as indicated to the right.
You can look for specific member of the House or Browse by State.
Information available includes:
- links to official biographies
- committee assignments
- members' remarks in congressional records
- legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by the member
Almanac of American Politics 2018 by Call Number: Ref JK 271 .B343 2018ISBN: 9781938939587Publication Date: 2017-10-06This one is great for snap shots on your member of the House. Information will vary representative to representative. All have a basic biography, but some also include election breakdowns, group ratings, journal ratings, key votes in congress, committees and more. Older years are in the Stacks.
- US House of Representatives
The official government website for the House of Respresentatives. You can easily browse congress members, current legislative activity, and more. "The House Explained" in the top menu bar provides a good basic explanation of how the House works.
- Office of the Clerk
Use the "Roll Call Votes" to see how a representative voted on a specific piece of legislation.
Financial Information
- Open Secrets
From The Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan, independent, and nonprofit organization that tracks money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. "OpenSecrets.org... [is] the most comprehensive resource for federal campaign contributions, lobbying data and analysis available anywhere."
Searching Open Secrets
Search by your representative's name as shown to the right. 
Select which congressional race you want campaign information on.
Once you have selected a race, the top menu, as seen below, will be your key for navigation. You can view election data, which industries, PAC's, and individual donors who have donated to the representative's election campaign, a breakdown of funds by geographic location (in and out of state), and much more!
