*Political Science Research Guide: Useful Websites

THOMAS was launched in January of 1995, at the inception of the 104th Congress. The leadership of the 104th Congress directed the Library of Congress to make federal legislative information freely available to the public. Since that time THOMAS has expanded the scope of its offerings to include the features and content listed below.
Bills, Resolutions
Activity in Congress
Congressional Record
Schedules, Calendars
Committee Information
Presidential Nominations
Treaties
Government Resources
For Teachers
Help and Contact

Official website of the Supreme Court of the United States

Official website of the White House

Official website of the Democratic Party

Official Website of the Libertarian Party

Official website of the GOP

Founded in 1914, ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, advances professional local government worldwide. Our mission and vision is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional management to build sustainable communities that improve people’s lives worldwide. ICMA provides member support; publications; data and information; peer and results-oriented assistance; and training and professional development to nearly 9,000 city, town, and county experts and other individuals and organizations throughout the world. The management decisions made by ICMA's members affect millions of individuals living in thousands of communities, from small villages and towns to large metropolitan areas.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo assists America’s 3,069 counties in pursuing excellence in public service to produce healthy, vibrant, safe and resilient counties. NACo promotes sound public policies, fosters county solutions and innovation, promotes intergovernmental and public-private collaboration and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money.

For over 60 years, the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) has been the professional membership organization for state budget and finance officers. As the chief financial advisors to our nation’s governors, NASBO members are influential decision makers in state government. They guide their states in analysis of budget options and formation of sound public policy.
NASBO exists to support its members in their critical job functions by:
Providing information and training on critical state fiscal issues and budget processes
Responding to member research inquiries on topics impacting states and their budgets
Organizing national meetings where members can discuss critical issues and share best practices

NASCIO’s mission is to foster government excellence through quality business practices, information management, and technology policy.

The National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) was formed more than 30 years ago to provide America's smaller communities, towns and townships, and other suburban and rural localities a strong voice in Washington, DC. Eighty-five percent serve communities with less than 10,000 people and nearly half have fewer than 1,000 residents. Nearly one quarter of all Americans live in rural areas, approximately the same percentage as live in central cities.

NCSC is the organization courts turn to for authoritative knowledge and information, because its efforts are directed by collaborative work with the Conference of Chief Justices, the Conference of State Court Administrators, and other associations of judicial leaders.

Since 1975, NCSL has been the champion of state legislatures. We’ve helped states remain strong and independent by giving them the tools, information and resources to craft the best solutions to difficult problems. We’ve fought against unwarranted actions in Congress and saved states more than $1 billion. We’ve conducted workshops to sharpen the skills of lawmakers and legislative staff in every state. And we do it every day.

The National Governors Association (NGA) is the bipartisan organization of the nation’s governors. Through NGA, governors share best practices, speak with a collective voice on national policy and develop innovative solutions that improve state government and support the principles of federalism.

The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents.

e.Republic is the nation’s only smart media and research company focused exclusively on public-sector innovation for state and local government and education.

We are a catalyst for better government. Our people are dedicated to creating the big ideas that move this mission forward.

Govtech.com is the online portal to Government Technology, a division of e.Republic, Inc. Government Technology and its sister publications are an award-winning family of magazines covering information technology's role in state and local governments. Through in-depth coverage of IT case studies, emerging technologies and the implications of digital technology on the policies and management of public sector organizations, Government Technology chronicles the dynamics of governing in the information age. Managers, elected officials, CIOs and technology staff at all levels of government gain IT news and event information from Government Technology magazine.

Official website of the state of North Carolina.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. Our members range from mom-and-pop shops and local chambers to leading industry associations and large corporations. They all share one thing in common—they count on the Chamber to be their voice in Washington, D.C.

The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,393 such cities in the country today. Each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor.

The primary roles of The U.S. Conference of Mayors are to:

Promote the development of effective national urban/suburban policy;
Strengthen federal-city relationships;
Ensure that federal policy meets urban needs;
Provide mayors with leadership and management tools; and
Create a forum in which mayors can share ideas and information.

The Stafford Act "constitutes the statutory authority for most Federal disaster response activities especially as they pertain to FEMA and FEMA programs" (according to FEMA). Analysis of the impact of this law is very important for understanding federal emergency management in the United States.