United States Statutes at Large

United States Statutes at Large
Title	United States Statutes at Large
Country	United States
Language	English
Publisher	United States Government Publishing Office
Published	1815–present
Frequency	Annual
Oclc	768727948

United States Statutes at Large. Commonly referred to as the *Statutes at Large* and abbreviated as *Stat.*, it is the official chronological compilation of all laws and resolutions enacted by the United States Congress. Published under the authority of the Office of the Federal Register, it serves as the permanent documentary evidence of all federal legislation, including private laws and concurrent resolutions. Its publication is mandated by Title 1 of the United States Code, ensuring a complete, unaltered historical record of congressional sessions.

History and purpose

The publication of a formal, official record of session laws began in earnest following the War of 1812, with early compilations handled by private publishers like Richard Folwell. The responsibility was formally assigned to the Department of State in 1845 by a congressional joint resolution. The core purpose, established from the outset, was to create an authoritative, sequential record free from the editorial reorganization found in subject-based codes. This mission was later reinforced by the Administrative Procedure Act and the oversight of the National Archives and Records Administration. The series began numbering with Volume 1 covering the First Congress through the Eighteenth Congress, retrospectively collecting laws from the founding era.

Content and organization

Each volume contains every public law and private law enacted during a session of Congress, presented in the order they became law. The content also includes joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions (for those with statutory effect), proposed constitutional amendments, and reorganization plans. Presidential proclamations, such as those issued under the Antiquities Act, are also included. The volumes are organized chronologically by congressional session and feature extensive marginal notes, popular names tables, and a comprehensive index. Treaties and international agreements were included until 1948, after which they were published separately in United States Treaties and Other International Agreements.

Legal status and citation

The text contained within this publication constitutes the official evidence of the laws enacted by Congress, holding the highest legal authority for determining a law's original, verbatim text. It is the source from which the United States Code is derived and is the final arbiter in cases of textual discrepancy. Standard legal citation format, as prescribed by The Bluebook and other authorities, is to volume and page number (e.g., 80 Stat. 1234). Citations to specific acts, like the Social Security Act or the Civil Rights Act of 1964, always refer back to the page in the relevant volume where the law's full text is recorded.

Publication and availability

Since 1936, publication has been the duty of the Office of the Federal Register, a part of the National Archives and Records Administration. Printed volumes are produced by the United States Government Publishing Office (GPO). In the modern era, each volume is published digitally on the GPO's GovInfo website, providing free public access. Historical volumes, including those from the 18th century, have been digitized and are available through the Library of Congress and other digital archives. The GPO also distributes printed copies to federal depository libraries nationwide.

Relationship to the United States Code

While this publication is the chronological, unedited record, the United States Code is a topically organized codification that consolidates and arranges the general and permanent laws currently in force. The Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the United States House of Representatives prepares the Code, using the text from these volumes as its sole source. Not everything published here is incorporated into the Code; temporary, repealed, or non-general provisions remain only in the chronological record. Courts routinely consult the chronological record for historical context and original intent, as seen in decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States.

Notable volumes and editions

Early compilations, such as those by Bioren and Duane and Richard Peters, are important historical precursors. Volume 1 is notable for containing foundational acts like the Judiciary Act of 1789. Volumes encompassing major legislative sessions, such as those for the 73rd United States Congress (containing the New Deal legislation like the National Industrial Recovery Act) and the 89th United States Congress (containing the Great Society programs), are particularly significant. The edition prepared under the supervision of the Secretary of State in the 19th century helped standardize the official record, preceding the modern administrative process managed by the Archivist of the United States.

Category:United States federal legislation Category:United States Government Publishing Office Category:Law of the United States